Lafetha turns to Sim, "um, what should we do? I feel like we need them on our side, but neither one of us can seem to communicate with them correctly. Should we make a run for it?"

After attempting to decipher the language between the two of them Sim turns and bows to the Tribe and heads back down to report what languages they don't speak.  Suggesting Yaalin and Diadochi try one of theirs.

Diadochi looks to Yaalin "What do you say? I think between your intense interest in all things intellectual, and my family's wide ranging history, I'm sure we can figure something out. If you want to stay out here of course understand. it is of course probably fought with danger" Diadochi goes into the Village. He tries to get a basic read of the people he sees, trying to figure out through their body language the emotions at play insight 10 . 

Diadochi listens to the people to see if their languages share a common ancestor. If Yaalin isn't able to assist performance 13

If Yaalin is able to provide advantage 

 If Yaalin does something smarter, please disregard all of this. 

Yaalin nods agreement to go talk to the villagers.  Taking a moment to pull and don down ceremonial vestments from a backpack.

As the two approach the villagers she stops 20 feet back from the spear standing in the ground pointedly amd obviously raising her shield and mace high so the villagers can see then placing them on the ground and walking away from them towards the spear.  Stopping short she will drop to her knees with her palms open and out/upward amd begin speaking, 'We mean no harm. Shepard semds greeting.' Repeating this phrase in all languages she knows slowly and carefully.

13 performance or persuasion ((same bonus))

The group says a few new words and phrases towards each other as Diadochi and Yaalin approach.  

Diadochi: You look over at the people.  There's clearly aggressive, but, not confrontational.  By the way they're shouting and waiving their hands, you think they're saying something similar to 'get lost' or 'go away.'  The spear sticking into the earth would only support that.  They don't want to fight, but, aren't afraid to defend their home from others.  Based on the shouting being focused towards Sim, either he did something rude to them, or told them something they disliked.  After pondering for a moment, it could very well be that Sim is a human, as Rest was mostly humans as well.

The villager that threw the spear walks over towards where Yaalin put down her mace and shield.  He says... something.  Then moves to pick up the mace.  Swinging it a few times before tossing it in his hands.  He then reaches around, pulling out some kind of rather decorated serrated bone knife.  

"Thawaz" he says, shaking the bone knife at Yaalin.  "Thawaz!"

Diadochi: as you watch the exchange, it clicks.  He wants to trade; the bone knife for the mace.  If it isn't a human thing, it's possible that nobody put out their wares, so they thought you're here for nefarious reason.

Diadochi tells Yaalin "Dear girl, I believe they want to exchange that mace for that knife.  I had an epiphany the only outsiders they see are merchants or invaders, so if we act like merchants then they'll know we aren't invaders."

After hearing Diadochi explain what's going on Yaalin turns to the one waving the knife at her smiling wide she nods to the villager making signs to accept the trade.

She will then wait to see the reaction before continuing.

((She is going to attempt communication by drawing but wants to ensure the trade goes well.))

The tribeman grabs the mace, handing Yaalin the knife.  He holds up the mace with a bit of a laugh as he walks away.  

Abigail: As you're standing a bit further away from the others, you hear the laughter from that one guy up above.  In the corner of your eye, you glance back to the reeds.  Several Hn'ti moving out of them; some appear to be children.  Others have a spear.  One younger female has her cat-like nose torn apart in some kind of ritual mutilation.  The children seem eager to move over towards you, especially after seeing your tail.  The few adults with them telling them something that you can only imagine as a "no."  But they keep pointing at you with a "H'tu?"

Sim: You notice the few tribes people now out of the reeds, looking over at Abigail.

The one with the mutilated nose moves up the stairs with two of the other adults.  Diadochi, Lafetha, and Yaalin hear them approach from behind  You're fairly surrounded.  Some of their warriors in the front, and this other one in the back along the stairs.

The young girl coughs, before speaking.  "This one says hello.  This one asks what you bring for trade."

Diadochi perks up, "this one says hello. And this one has bright many things to trade, a climbing kit of bone, useful axes, a potion to help with the light air up here, coins too if that is good." Diadochi will start putting these things out on the ground. "What this one wants from..." He points to the girl "that one is information. Temples, nearby cave, beasts with in. Does that one have these?"

Abigail, who has been keeping ready to flee down the mountain this whole time, relaxes a bit with the approach of the children.

She smiles, and gives a little wave, but continues to keep back for now...

After a minute or two, if things continue to progress positively, she will move up toward Yaalin and Diadochi... Who knows, maybe these villagers have some sort of fermented beverage to trade for?

((There are too many to fight and win, so keeping the exit route as close as possible is still her main concern; however, if kids are starting to come out of the woodwork, probably things are going to be okay - after all, what sort of monsters would let their kids wander into a soon-to-be ambush?))

Sim sits back and watches as the tribes people start to come out of the woodwork and begin to explore their visitors.  Sim uses his insight 15 to observe their ways and to try to understand a better way to communicate with them then he had done previously.  Taking special note of any religion 13 or religious undertones in the individuals or their attire.

As Abigail waives at the young one, it waives back.  But not before doing a mock pounce - much like a kitten at play.  Abigail watches it shift quickly, as it's physical body morphs.  It's flat face gaining a muzzle.  Large top and bottom teeth moving to poke out from it's lips.  Arms and legs changing to a much more muscular form and it's hands becoming claws.  It's then dark furry face looks up at Abigail, before scampering off back to it's others.  Seeming to shift back, panting.  As if doing so took quite a bit of energy from the child.

The woman Hn'ti looks over the wares Diadochi puts out.  She seems, annoyed, that he refers to himself as a This or That.  Her face scowling into a twist.  She says something over to the others, before waiving at you.  "Follow. This one will set up."

As you gather your materials, she lets you follow her into the village on top of the plateau.  "This one, does not trade."  She states.  "This one acts and speaks."  The village itself has several small fire-pits.  Tents made of animal skins and leathers hosting small families.  There does not appear to be any rhyme or reason in a effort of city planning.  The ground itself has remnants of cobble-stone, and cement outlines.  Some old passageways that lead into the plateau are scattered about; showing off some kind of hidden structure inside.  Still, it seems that their village is built on the foundation of a old castle or fortress that was in the mountains.  

Two large tents stay side by side.  One simply a larger version of the other tents.  The other is similar in style, but being held up by what appears to be whale bone.  All around are people going about their daily lives, most giving rather serious concerns at your arrival.  She always replies the same way, with the Hn'ti word for Trade.  Letting your presence be known to the others.  While you do notice some children, many other children wrestle in the street and play different harsh games with each other.  Others come out with cups made of bone.  Some homes are decorated in skulls that hang from what could be considered the front.  Goblin, Human, and even child skulls in some cases.  You do notice a distinct lack of elderly as you head through the town.  Sim, as you look around, you don't notice any particular churches or temples - although the two tents probably play some role in whatever faith they might have.  However, on a few of the adults with the ritual scars, you make out a symbol of the Weirds.  A cult that the Faith has been stamping out from time to time.  The Weirds were a Nature Cult with a belief in Spirits.  There's been conflicting information and practices with them; some on the thoughts that Spirits are Made, others that Spirits are there to be Consumed.  

"Here," the Hn'ti says as she stops before one of three small, empty tents.  "This one will sit by here for trades."  She takes our four hour-glasses.  Showing them to you all as she knocks them together a bit.  "This one will watch time."  

Diadochi looks at the hour glasses and says to the group "So we have four hours... for trades..." He smiles in a way that is somewhat terrifying turns to the Hn'ti "This great, many pleasing smiles rain across my face. We are also here to talk to... the one who leads. can we talk to her... them?" 

"This one does not speak for the Elder or the Chief," she says while pointing over to the large tents.  "The Elder may be spoken to.  The Chief, you only speak when spoken to." She does give a nod as she takes the first hour glass and spins it around.  Letting you, and anyone coming by, that the store is open.  

(Let me know what you all put out, if anything)

Your Hn'ti translator sits there, watching the crowd.

What do you all do?

Yaalin nudges Diadochi and whispers, "I would suggest speaking normally you may be insulting them by mimicking their speech patterns."  

Then once presented with the time to trade she will put out for offer, the blanket she has, a small bell, and a block of incense.

"This is what I offer"  She will look pointedly at the others, in her group, expecting them to offer some small things as well.  "What is the cost of stories?" 

Diadochi  will look taken aback, "really? It seems to work for the humans. Most interesting indeed." Diadochi will give the climbing kit, and the potion of mountain breathe to Yaalin to trade, "make sure you get some good stories for these, murder mysteries if they have any." He stands up "someone should talk to the elder," he puts his hand on Sim's shoulder, " I think they aren't too found of humans here, could be something to do with the Faith trying to stomp them out." ((If Sim brings up that enemies might be honored in this culture insight 21 ))

"They seemed to like Yaalin, but she is trading for us right now,  I wouldn't ask any of you to do something I wouldn't do myself so I'll go but I'd like one of you with me ((if the inisght roll makes Diadochi believe Sim would be an asset he'd invite him first)) Lafetha, from what I've gathered there could be some overlap between their religion and yours could help us out with negotiations. Abigail, conventional means of diplomacy seem to have mixed results, maybe your unconventional style is just what we need." ((It should be noted that people can tell Diadochi he shouldn't talk to the elder)).

Diadochi nods, clearly proud of himself for his tatical brain but his smile changes as an idea occurs to him "what is our goal here again?" He looks at Yaalin and her wares "besides the stories of course"

Having little on her to trade, and curiosity peaked by the shape-changing child, Abigail attempts to wander over to the playing kids to observe and try to play with them.
 

As you all begin to plan and assign ideas, your translator nearby coughs a few times. 

“Stories are for the old,” she just kind of states. Looking around the village again, there aren’t really any elderly. “Or for mothers.” That - there’s plenty of. She looks at Yaalin. You think she’s trying to figure out if Yaalin is the mother to the rest of the unknown creatures before going back simply being there while everyone places items to trade. 

Its hard to gauge if they simply dislike humans, or that there have been too many issues over time with Rest and being in somewhat close proximity. However the skulls are either a token of honor, or a trophy. 

Sim, you did hear rumors that some of the cults of the Weird were more cannibalistic. Taking the ideas that spirits could be consumed to greater heights. But those sects were always more fringe for the cult. 

Sim nods to Diadochi and says "I kind of figured something may have been going on but I will attend the elder with you anyway.  Besides many tribes Honor their enemies, but maybe not the way you would like." 

He takes a quick look at the skulls near him looking for teeth marks.  Having been near Abigail when the kid changed and play pounced sim begins to consider the implications of them possible being a lost tribe of changlings or half changlings.  insight 11

As they move toward the tent Sim will change his ears to elven to maybe make the elder less hostile.  He will not mention it to Diadochi.

Abigail: You recognize the game the younger kids are playing fairly easily.  It's similar to tag, although, more aggressive.  Early learning how to stalk, pounce, corner, chase, escape.  While these children do not appear to have a true animalistic body, they do move more similar to the shifted form you saw that one in earlier.  Down the way a bit, some older kids play a similar game.  This one added in a bit of throwing and catching; some kind of sport.  Both boys and girls playing together, throwing elbows and tackling in a effort to get a ball to a goalpost.  It comes across a bit more, human, than the game the kids play.  It's easy to tell that it's training from a young age in hunting and survival tactics.  Especially for a region up here.  None of their parents, or at least the adults that linger around, seem bothered by you being around or chasing the children. 

Some of the older kids wave you over.  They're just as curious as you are, looking over your feline form.  A few ask, something, but toss up their hands in some kind of frustration.  One does toss their ball a few times.  It some kind of hardened leather wrapped around some kind of core.  The game seems easy enough to figure out.  ((If you decide to join them, give me either Athletics or Acrobatics. Playing with them will consume your first segment of time in the village))

Sim: You glance around, not seeing any of the skulls that are hanging having clear teeth marks.  But you are a little ways away from some of them, instead looking over at the children at play.  It's possible their changelings, although finding a entire tribe living this far away and taking on such a unique character and culture would make it rather rare.  They could very well be cursed with some form of generational lycanthropsy, giving them a bestial form in addition to their amber skinned form.  ((You can roll Investigate or Medicine on the skulls, but it'll consume your first segment of time here in the village.  Or go off on a different path.))

Yaalin: You and Diadochi have both put down some items and arranged them to be sold.  Just from a quick glance, folks are looking heavily at the incense and the bell.  You actually see some of the adults with the same climbing kits on their hip.  You're guessing that the Ogres didn't discriminate from eating Goblins, Humans, or Hn'ti...  ((If you're staying at the tent this segment, you'll get a chance to Barter / Trade.  Give me a CHA / Persuasion / Performance.  Your choice))

Diadochi & Lafetha: The first hour is yours, as you've helped people get set up.  You could go investigate, wander, assist in trading, try to talk to others.