"I'll try, Alus. I'm just not going to stand by when my friend is assaulted and later threatened and then demeaned, like she's less than any of us because of how she came into the world." Astra says, having spoken her mind and being as respectful as she can.

"I didn't tackle her because she's a robot, I tackled her because she threatened to kill my horse. If I hated robots, I would have tackled her in Triboar."

"I'm not saying that you did it because she was a robot. But when you say that she's a hunk of metal or that her personality is less real than ours because she's a Warforged, that I'm not going to accept." 

 "Okay, well then Big Blue, what is the solution you're, like, proposing here? Everyone seems to be, like, thinking of solutions, but you are only, like, restating the problems. We have work to do--but I don't think our work will, err, work, you know, if, like, we aren't all on the same, like, breeze, you know?"

Alus stands to his full height, and pounds his fist against his chest.

"And, yeah, this dude won't abide any judgments being passed based on any of our races, jobs, wealth, or hobbies. Robot, angel, dragonborn, whatever Nirz is--we're all more than just how our ears looks or which plane our ancestors came from."

Nirzeg had gotten a real thoughtful look on his face after Alus' spoke him. Shaking from the line by Derii speaking up, he raises a brow and cants his head in what seemed at least genuine confusion over the words. But again, after giving Derrikoth a moment to air anything else, the Githyanki just raises a finger. "Before that Mr. Atlas, some clarity... And it's Githyanki, by the way." He turns to Derrikoth. "First off. No, I /knew/ what she was capable of. I worked with beings like her, but far more advanced and sophisticated." He turns and pats Genny on the leg if close enough. "No offense darling. My grievance to your creators aside, you are well built model." He grins crookedly, and then turns back to Derrikoth with a serious look on his face.

"But, as you said, you do not know EITHER of us well enough for their to be quite that level of trust, so I move we consider bygones be bygones there between you and me." Nirzeg states casually as he folds his hands behind his head. "Secondly, I pride myself on being honest. So, when I say I do not remember, or request for ******* clarification, its not me trying to be Mr. Funny man or Sly. It's a genuine request. Though again, I'm sure my being what I am and bonded to who I'm bonded colors a not so pretty picture for you." There's a moment in which it looks Nirzeg might add something, only to for once catch himself.

So, he sighs instead and looks to the ceiling. ".... Wait.. family... Ahh. Now I /do/ remember thanks to the little jogging there. Heh.... Right, well, I am not gonna apologize for a clear jest. But if it makes you feel better, I will... abstain in the future at your expense. As for the name thing... do you have preferred but simple nickname like Big Blue or Big D? Or would you prefer I butcher your own, or even the pronoun game?"

"Actually, I distinctly recall you refusing to accept the fact that she made a threat towards my horse, and thinking it odd that I wouldn't want Josephus to die.

I haven't heard a single solution being proposed, other than that I should shut up and let whatever crosses my path threaten to murder my horse. Evidently, Astra and Nirzeg both believe they know Genevieve well enough to evaluate her killing capacity, so why don't they figure out how to demonstrate that she won't murder my horse just because someone spills their drink in her circuits?

I don't expect any apologies from you, Nirzeg, but you should know that your poor attempts at jokes are quite unwelcome. Do what you will with nicknames, so long as you're not too insulting."

 Alus shakes his head, sighs, and leaves the room.

"I'll see you all downstairs when we are ready to leave, assuming we are still a 'we' at that point."

"Aye, because it wasn't a genuine threat. But I'm not gonna argue semantics on that matter further on the matter." Nirzeg deadpans. "As for her not murdering your horse in the event of something unexpected, trying to demonstrate that to you, admittedly, would be like trying to demonstrate to a cow how to eat the sun. She is a complicated enough masterpiece that ANY explanation will either be over your head, cover too narrow a scenario that invites more pedantic arguing, or would be an insult to both you and her. And I prefer not to shake they tree, or waste time in a fruitless effort."

He adds before promptly raising a finger. "Again, not an intentional insult. But there are few phrases that I can use in the common tongue that will not come out as such without being a lie or some blatant attempt at appeasing your ego while insulting your intelligence."  Nirzeg scratches his chin thoughtfully for a moment. "Also, not /once/ -- HERE, has that solution come up. So any prior to this should not be taken at face value if such is what your referencing. Now, a more genuine solution is to a) Unless requested in regards to genny's failings, they be left to us. Questions are welcome, but extreme actions while we're not incapacitated should be readied, but held in check. And the same respect should be given on matters in which you are more versed in. Or b) we table this for a time in which we're not burning daylight, and endeavor to work on 'things' as we go along. Either sound fair enough?"

// Screen wipe //

Despite the rather lengthy argument in the morning, you are able to make good time on this warm day. The journey is uphill and over rough terrain—thankfully, there isn't too much ground to cover.

Eventually you reach the fog-shrouded hills of the Evermoors. Here, the vast landscape is dominated cold bogs, rocky ridges, and small peaks with tough sod. The Evermoors are unsettled, and it's readily apparent why. 

// Here, you can begin your search for the troll problem. Let me know how you'd like to try and handle this hunt/investigation/search, and we can make some ability checks! // 

Alus takes a moment and traces a rough approximation of the symbol of Valkur in the dirt in front of his feet. Then he closes his eyes, takes a deep breath, and spreads his arms out wide, fanning his fingers and focusing on the light breeze passing through them. His hand start to glow a soft, faint shade of blue. He then touches his hands to his chest and opens his eyes, which now glow faintly with the same blue hue.

Alus casts Enhance Ability -- Owl's Wisdom

Using his enhanced vision, he searches his surroundings for evidence of Troll activity, scanning the horizon for possible encampments, as well as eyeing the ground for indications of movement--footprints, broken branches, disturbed dirt, and the like.

Survival: 23

Astra found herself agreeing with Nirzegs proposals, for once, so that they could get out of there and back to work. She suggests to Genevieve that they should give Derrikoth his space for the time being, since they can't find a solution. 

Once out in the wild, Astra takes a deep breath, looking to move on to the job and stopping this troll menace. Also casting Armor of Agathys.

Perception: 19

Survival: 20

Working together, Alus and Astra find signs of some very large creatures moving through a thicket, with perhaps an area that has served as a bed for one or more of them. The tracks are large, and roughly foot-shaped, though they appear to be a few days old.

Alus points out their findings to the group, and suggests they trace these signs of movement as long as they can keep a bead on them.

"There are tracks here, something from a creature in the giant family. And I think that they might've been sleeping here as well. They're a few days old, but this is what we have."

And then she turns to Alus and shouts out "Jinx!" when it turns out that they said the exact same thing at the same time.

Alus cowers at the word "jinx", raising his arms to shield his face.

"Bah! Don't hex me, dude!"

Derrikoth sits on Josephus, observing the actions of the other members of the group and trying to scrounge up any information he knows about troll's travel habits.

History: 22

Astra laughs and gives Alus a friendly pat. "You're too sweet! I'm not casting a spell on you. Jinx is just something you say when you say something at the same time someone else is saying it."

"Oh...okay...tight..."

Quote from Persuasion >>

Derrikoth sits on Josephus, observing the actions of the other members of the group and trying to scrounge up any information he knows about troll's travel habits.

History: 18

Derrikoth is able to recall stories he heard as a child, stories of Abeir, where the trolls lived in deep bogs, and were enslaved by powerful primordials. It was said that trolls generally prefer damp to dry, and if you want to scare a troll off, then fire is your best friend. 

Following the tracks takes you over fen and hill, until well into nightfall. The footprints are plenty muddy, so they are easy to follow for some time even in failing light, but in the darkness, you will need artificial lighting. Either that, or you can camp here for the night and resume the search tomorrow. 

What do you do?

"I can see in the dark, but for those who can't, I also have a spell that can create light. Comes as part of the whole 'divine blood' package."