Perfesser there be one of those things but i dinna think itll be much of a threat to us

As the creature notices you, it starts to utter a series of croaks, clicks, and hisses. It seems deliberate, as some patterns repeat and the whole seems deliberate.

Professor S:

”It seems to be attempting to communicate,” says the Professor.  “Does it look like one of the group that attacked us, Berrus?” he asks.

If it doesn’t appear to be hostile, Snively will ask Cliff to bind his wounds if he can get close enough, while Snively begins the ritual for Comprehend Languages.

OOC: Cliff was wounded and stayed behind. You got Zip with you though.

The unpleasant insects and the unusual language of the grung make it hard for the Professor to make out any potential motives. Convinced by the non-hostile nature of the wounded grung however, Zip slowly and cautiously approaches, crossbow on his back, and hands, unarmed, outstretched. "Professor, he looks like he's been attacked by some sort of beast... Those are claw marks, not anything we could have done to him." The red grung is trying his best to raise a dagger as Zip approaches, fear in its eyes. As Zip starts to treat the wounds however, it lets Zip continue.

As the Professor finishes his ritual, he suddenly starts to understand the clicks, croaks, and hisses, as they rearrange and shift to form sentences and an understanding, as if from deep within, arises.

"Thank. Me will not die today. Me not enemies with long-knives. We live aloned. But we loose stone that keep tribe safe. Chief Koro-arak kill previous chief for loosing stone. No stone, no protection. Lizardmen, always dangerous, but now, no protection. They kill many grung. We want stone back, find long-knives. Koro-arak convince grung to attack long-knives. He say, long knives steal stone. Me want to speak with long-knives, maybe me can learn. Me want to ask, if long-knives steal stone. Maybe trade. But Gru-oka say, me traitor, me want to be king. Gru-oka and others say, me must leave tribe. Me try to warn long-knives, but me attacked by lizardmen, and now here."

Professor S:

OOC:  Sorry, with Zip then...

“As I suspected, here is one who would talk rather than fight,” relates Snively, translating the words as the grung speaks.  “Let’s get water and go back to camp with him,” he suggests.

To the Grung, he says, “I am called Professor Snively, and my companions and I have never met one of your species before today, much less stolen a stone from you.  Let us get water and come with us to the safety of our camp so we may speak more.”

Snively uses his Conjuration ability to make a serviceable pail and gets started on a second Floating Disk while asking Berrus and Zip to fill the water barrels from the pool.  If that goes well, he offers the grung a ride back to camp.

Berrus fills the barrels all the while keeping an eye on the Grung

Loading the wounded grung carefully onto the disc, you make your way back to camp with the wounded warrior and two full barrels of water. THe others immediately notice the red grung on your disc, and look at you in alarm, though they calm down seeing the Professor's calm demeanour.

Professor S:

“This Grung counseled against attacking us and was left to die at the claws of the Lizardfolk for his sentiments,” begins Snively, as he begins to help distribute the water.

(If he thinks it necessary, he will boil it first:  Nature: *18 )

He proceeds to relate what the Grung said and works to translate for any who wish to hold a conversation with their new arrival, but Snively is no diplomat.

Maxine first checked if they found the water - and relieved, before Professor begun to hand water over, presented her new invention (well, not exactly - the most primitive filter one can create using some cloth (one bedroll had to be sacrificed, but lately they had some extra), sand, and "Purify water" spell, activated already on the disk. Then Maxine drunk full mug of water and was able to listen.

"So, he does not truly know anything, did not see Faekin, claimes to be on our side and we can expect attack of lizardmen at any moment?" she summed up the story.

Professor S:

"Fair enough," the Professor replies to Maxine, adding, "but at least we have water now."

To the grung, he says, "Now that we are safely at camp, let's talk.  What is your name?  We had a companion carried off by the other grung--does your tribe keep prisoners alive?  How does your magic stone protect you from the Lizardfolk, and when was it stolen?" the Professor follows up with leading questions.

OOC:  If any diplomats want to jump in and talk, Snively will translate his replies.

Berrus goes to rest a little bit  thinking to himself   let the talkers talk, ill be ready with my axe if needed

Maxine was not the most sensitive person there is, but even she realized, her anger at the grung should not have being affecting others. "I am sorry, Professor, this is far from "at least" - you saved us here, pure and simple, and on the way found the first creature willing to communicate and knowing something about the jungle. And amazing deed after what we have being through today. Thank you." "Getting jumpy here - even plants around can backstab you at any moment."

She shut up, eventually, listening the interrogation.

Seeing Berrus and the Professor, Shae would actually give them both a hug upon their return. She was genuinely happy for their return. “Thank you.”

After thanking for the water, the warlock will go around handing out water to every one before grabbing a helping for herself.

Shae would be mesmerized by the Grung who was brought back, watching the way he moved and communicated with the Professor. She trusted Snively’s judgement and she also wanted to learn so much more. At first she’d remain quiet while the Professor and Grung conversed, then she’d ask, “Can he teach me the ways of healing in this jungle?” Deep down, she even wanted to treat the grungs wounds of what he says is true.

Guilt was consuming her. She has seen the people at her side battle bravely through this jungle and they deserved the best support. Right now she’s lacking in supplies and feeling hopeless. Kam’s been quiet providing less and less guidance. Just like her days in the academy, she’s coming up short. We need help and maybe this Grung can help her learn more. Help THEM learn more. Maybe there’s still hope?

Professor S:

”No need to apologize, Maxine,” responds Snively, “We are all under a lot of stress and worried about Faekin.”

At Shae’s hug, the Professor blushes a bit at the attention, but seems pleased.  He continues to translate as best he can for the duration of the spell (OOC:  speak up now if you want to ask the Grung something).

Maxine would add a couple of question - how far does his tribe wonders (meaning - map for the closest surrounding), and if there any settlement around other than Lizardmen's?

With Maxine's improvised water filter, you are all able to drink from the barrel far quicker, and once that heir thirst was taken care of, most of the party gathers around the wounded grung, as the Professor poses his next series of questions.

"Me Gruk. Me tribe kill only small animal, or to keep tribe safe. Long-knives taken as slaves. Chief Koro-arak use stone, me not know, but he only chief for two moons now. Stone disappear two moons ago." At Shae's question, the chirps and croaks seem almost excited: "Yes, me can heal, me tribe shaman and know many plants that heal grung. Not sure if help long-knives though…"

At Maxine's questions, the grung slows down, deliberating a bit more: "Tribe live near water. Grung need water. But grung hunt, sometimes hunt far from water, near Fire Hills, or even the Brave Meadows. Sometimes, me see other long-knives, but all white, and live here, like grung. Lizardmen and snakemen here too, but lizardmen most dangerous to tribe. Many moons ago, long-knives come here, like you, but in hollow tree with forest on top. They come from other side of Fire Hills, but they bad to grung."

Berrus is listening as he slowly walks the parimiter

Professor S:

Looking around at the injured and exhausted members of the group, Professor S is struck by a sudden suspicion—posing as a healer would be a perfect way to poison everyone...but he seems so earnest...hmm.

 Assuming he detects no malice from Gruk, Snively suggests, “We are in no shape to rescue Faekin tonight.  We need food, healing, and rest.  Shae, can you and Gruk work on the healing?  I can translate.”

"He still did not say what are they going to do with Faekin and why did they kidnapped him on the first place. Or did I miss it? And do you think it would be safe to show him those stones you found? In case they are the one that were stolen. Then we would have a bargaining chip." 

Professor S:

”Sorry if I didn’t translate that well,” says Snively.  “Gruk wasn’t with the other Grung who attacked us, so he doesn’t know exactly what has happened to Faekin.  He does say that the tribe usually takes the humans as slaves—calling them ‘long knives’—but he didn’t comment on what they might do with a gnome.  As for the stone, do you mean the jade necklace I gave the captain?  I doubt that is it, but you are welcome to show him,”  he finishes.

Turning to Gruck, he asks, “What exactly does this stone look like?  We did find a jade amulet on a body that had been killed by the dangerous plants.  Also, do you have any idea what the tribe would do with a gnome—maybe make him a servant as well?”