The Professor:

"Congratulations, Gruk," says the Professor, adding, "Gold suits you well.  I would be honored to attend the ceremony, and I will speak to the tribe about the impending situation with the Hag when you feel it is appropriate--maybe right after the ceremony, while we still have everyone gathered together?  Honoring the dead should come first, I presume."  As Shae offers to stand with him during his entreaty, the Professor says, "Thank you, Shae.  I really have very little skill at negotiation.  All I can do is inform the people of the reality of this situation and hope they make good decisions."

With the sequence of events decided upon, Gruk asks you all to follow along for the ceremony.

While your wounds were treated, the grung in the village piled up three funeral pyres, upon which were now laid out the three tribal elites. They had been washed, and dressed in their finest armour, as well as decorated in ritualistic war paint. Their most prized posessions were laid besides them on the pyre, ready to be burnt with them. Towards the edge of the village, three pits were visible, were the bones and the ashes would be interred after the pyres had burnt down.

Most of the village had gathered by the light of torches, even if the near-full moon provided ample light to see the ceremony. In front of the pyres, a small podium had been constructed, for Gruk. He now stood upon the platform, bearing no regal insignia or headgear, simply wearing a standard tunic. The priests beside him also bore ritual markings, and they held their torches at the ready to light the pyres. Several younger green grung stood in the first row of the crowd with small drums, that they repeatedly beat upon, generate a low, rhythmic hum. As Gruk stood up the beating seized:

"Brothers, Sisters, We are here today because you chose to trust me, and you chose, freely, to become responsible for your own fates. We all have chosen to no longer be shackled by the castes of our birth, by the colours of our skin. We all have chosen to be more than what someone else decided for us to be. We all have chosen to think about a future, where we don't have to fight the lizardfolk, and were we don't have to follow leaders that are sick. As each of you made their choice, so did the three brave warriors before you. They chose their duty, and they made their sacrifice.

But as their souls are born aloft by the smoke and the embers, we all should look to the future that we want to build, and for which the first stone was laid today. Let us honour the dead by doing better tomorrow."

Then, Gruk began to sing, soon joined by the tribe and the drums, as the priests lit the pyres. The choir, though not exactly beautiful, was powerful, and you all can't help but feel the emotional weight of the moment. Many of the grung cried, and the signing continued for about a quarter of an hour, before Gruk invited the Professor onto the stand, inviting him to speak.

The Professor:

Stepping up onto the stand at Gruk's invitation, the Professor looks back at Shae, thankful for her encouragement and wondering that he is the one chosen to speak for the outsiders once more.  Looking out over the flaming pyres, Snively says, "I mourn with you at the loss of your tribe's warriors; they died doing their duty.  Allow me, if you would, to add my condolences."  Looking to Gruk for permission, (assuming it is granted) the Professor looks out over the three pyres and shapes the flames with his magic, Control Flames, causing the flames from each pyre to rise high and form the figures of each of the mighty grung warriors engaged in heroic battle (this effect will last for an hour or until the flames burn out).  He is then silent for a few moments to allow the tribe to observe and honor their dead anew.

Once a respectful time has passed, the Professor begins to speak again, saying, "I commend you for the choice of Gruk as your new leader.  He was the first among you to see the truth of the situation--the manipulation of the Hag you call the Horned Lady, the poisoning of Koro-arak's mind, and the self-destructive path of war against the Lizardfolk that would likely have meant the end of your tribe altogether."  Gesturing towards Gruk, the Professor continues, "Gruk is wise.  He seeks peace for the tribe and has broken the hold of the Hag on his spirit with the sundering of the stone amulet.  With his leadership, a new day of hope has returned to the Grung."

"Yet there is still the matter of the Hag who started all this trouble," says the Professor, getting to the difficult part of his speech.  "We suspect she had a hand in the death of your previous chieftain, and we know she influenced Koro-arak towards violence and lust for power as he sought to steal the golden scales by any means, even if it meant flaying my companion here in his madness," says Snively, gesturing to the injured Faekin whose skin is just now beginning to recover.  Pointing to the book in Shae's hands, he says, "I have already told you earlier today why the Hag does this--we have it written in her own words!  She needs senseless violence and death to fuel her foul ritual to summon her sisters back from banishment.  If she is successful, this entire region of the jungle would become enslaved to her coven."

"There is a difference between seeking peace with possible trading partners like the Lizardfolk and allowing the evil of the Hag to fester unimpeded.  Tomorrow night brings the full moon and the height of the Hag's power.  If Grung, Lizardmen, and Traveler alike are to survive, we need to stop her before this ritual can occur.  This is what Chieftain Gruk and I told the Lizardfolk today, and they have agreed to send warriors to meet us and end the threat of the coven before it starts," says Snively.  "Now, I am not a masterful speaker or a wise chieftain, but I am a scholar, and my specialty is finding the truth and learning its implications," he continues.  "I know you have lost powerful warriors today, and strong defenders must remain here at all times to protect the village, but the Lizardfolk warriors respect strength and a willingness to fight to defend their homes, so I must ask that the warriors among you consider carefully if you can join us tomorrow for the assault on the Hag and her minions.  If Lizardfolk, Grung, and Traveler show up in strength tomorrow, not only will we eliminate the threat of the Hag, we will also have the bond of defeating a common enemy as the foundation for future peace in the region," speaks the Professor hopefully.  "Yet I can only tell you the situation as I see it.  I ask that you join us tomorrow in battle for the survival of us all against the Hag, and trust that each of you will decide your own best course of action," he concludes, nodding to Gruk in thanks for the opportunity to speak.

As the Professor ends, the cloud remains silent. Counting your heartbeats, it seems to take forever, and with every beat, your hopes sink a little lower. Then, from the back of the crowd, the gruff but clear voice of B'ark echoes across the crowd. "B'ark will join for the grung!" Mere moments later, another two stepped forward, then three more, than five, until after a few moments, a full twenty grung had volunteered!

Gruk gave a thankful glance to the Professor for his convincing words, and another to B'ark for taking the all- important first step. "Thank you Brothers and Sisters. Actions speak louder than words, and if we want to do better, this is a crucial step to truly being able to live freely and peacefully. Now rest up, tomorrow shall be a hard day for us all!"

With this, the crowd began to disperse, and Gruk looked upon you all as well. Faekin and the Captain were both in no condition to fight, but the rest of you would be leading an army of three peoples to face off against an ancient evil in a couple hours time. "The same goes for you. You're welcome to sleep in the village and properly rest up with my warriors guarding you throughout the night so you can all get the proper rest you need." WIth this, Gruk points to several lodges that had been cleared for use by the travelers.

Berrus finally speaks.     "Perfesser.  Find out what each of em does.   Spell casters, archers, an close in types. Once i ken that i ken think o a plan

The Professor:

Nodding to Berrus, the Professor moves to personally thank each volunteer and assess their individual combat prowess. Reporting back to Berrus, he can barely keep his eyes open.  Soon afterwards, he heads to the nearest open bed in the shelter and falls asleep almost immediately.

Shae would give the Professor a confident nod when he would look back to her before his speech. Sometime's it's easy to contemplate whether you are the right person for the job when the moment of truth comes, but she knew the linguist would know the right words to say, and he would choose them from the heart.

The scholar would be touched by the thoughtful visual display of respect for the warriors. It didn't take someone to understand the language the Professor was speaking to feel the emotion and reflect upon the moment. Shae would stand with pride at Snively's side. She would hold the journal up to clearly present it to the crowd to support the moment of proof.

As the moment of truth came when the Professor completed his speech, it would feel like her heart stopped beating and there was no air for her to breathe. But a wave of relief came as B'ark and her warriors stepped forth to support their cause. Breathing easier, Shae would catch herself bouncing on the balls of her feet, feeding off of the excitement from the crowd. This moment was for the Professor, Gruk and the people. Snively proved that the study of language can literally bring worlds together.

Although hard times were ahead of them, Shae's heart was bursting with joy from the fruits of their labour. She prayed they could sleep easy tonight.

(Vote inspiration to the Professor for his wonderful speech!? :) Well done Scott_R_Simmons )

Maxine stoically suffered through the touchy speeches - she did not understand the language, but all the gestures, emotions in the tone and special effects oughted to inspire wild frogs to take the stand and do something about the hag, preying on them. Alas, only three were truly inspired. Better than nothing, and, considering the speed of events, actually surprising. The speech had to be amazing to impress frogs so much, they trusted total strangers.

Now she was with Berrus on the practical side of the deal and would also be curious what those three could do? As for herself ... It sure would be curious to pit her new magic against the hag.

The day has been exhausting, and you go to sleep with a mix of emotions. The next morning is clear, and you wake up to a grung village abuzz in activity. Twenty of the tribes warriors, from archers to spears, to two healers, almost all colours are present. B'ark has assumed command over the force, and has already started to drill the more rusty of the volunteers.

At the sight of a now rested Shae, Berrus, Maxine and Professor (Those of you who underwent treatment receive 12 HP over night) the purple grung heads towards you. "B'ark will get the tribal warriors into shape, but we should head out soon, to meet the lizardfolk." She can't help but give a sidelong glance at Maxine, whose eyes have started to gain a yellow tint.

One thing Maxine did use much even at home was the mirror. Here the need of such thing would never even come to her mind, so, the side glance of a frog she interpreted as either the result of her yesterday experiments (Maxine could not blame the primitive for being scared of science ...eeehhh... scientific magic) or the look of a warrior, judging it's future comrade. Of course, it could as well be some weird feral tradition Maxine was unfamiliar with. She just waved in response, trying to smile without showing her teeth (they could read it as a sign of aggression).

She felt terrific and was full of enthusiasm. "Shae, if you are still unwell I think I have some of this raw magic in me, to heal you a bit. Now, Berrus, I believe some of this reagents we liberated yestaerday from the cave, cna be used to make your armour a touch more tougher. Would need to be adjusted a bit, but I think I can do it - what do you say?" 

(One more tinkering slot would allow to give Berrus +1 armour, if allowed)

"stronger armor tis always better" Berrus says with a smile

looking over the volunteers muttering  spears and archers would be a good line if we had shield bearers, at least half as much shields as spears then we could have the spears strike between the shield bearers,  archers in back  healers wi' them

he starts drawing what looks like could be a formation in the dirt

The Professor:

     Yawning, the Professor heads over to Berrus as he is making sketches in the ground.  Sipping from whatever hot beverage he can lay his hands on, Snively gives a few thoughts on tactics.  "Those elementals should fall to spear and arrow, but we'll likely need magic against the wisps--they were tough to hit and seemed resistant to fire at the least.  Speaking personally, I would like to be part of the group that goes directly for the Hag, but I can flex to wherever you think I'd be of most use," offers the Professor.  Speaking more softly, he adds, "If possible, having Grung lieutenants lead the Grung and Lizardfolk lieutenants leading the Lizardfolk will probably go most smoothly for chain of command, but we do need them to start trusting each other if this is going to work.  I leave the tactics in your capable hands, Berrus, but we should probably get moving soon so we know what the Lizardfolk are bringing to the fight." 

"Aye...hopen they use shields" Berrus says with a grim laugh

Without further ado, you set off to the meeting place, where you are greeted by about fifteen lizardfolk warriors.True to their anarchic tribal nature, the warriors bear weapons and armour of all sorts of reused materials, and each one of them is equipped with different weapons unique to their own style of Fighting. Some carry shields and axes or clubs, some large blades in both hands. Some have brought spears, fishing nets, and a few arrive with boomerangs, crossbows and recurve bows. Though likely capable survivors, they don't look like a group that could easily learn to fight in a coordinated manner.

Skinny approaches the Professor, and she says: "Good to see you brought many frogs, Glasses. I don't know how they fight, but lizardfolk only hunt together if there is a plan. Most will accept me as their leader, but there's one who wants to prove himself and tag along with you." With that, she turns to one of the scrawnier lizardfolk: "Fang! Get over here, this is the man with the plan. It's him you gotta impress!"

Fang, a slender lizardfolk with green scales to match the environment and bright orange spines on his back that are primarily hidden unless needed to help frighten off would be attackers, moves over toward Skinny upon hearing his name. With his piercingly clear and sharply focused light blue eyes looks Glasses up and down. Thinking to himself, “I thought he would be taller” but says out loud “I hear you are going after the hag and I want to help” then immediately looks back to Skinny unsure of what to say next.

Fang sees Skinny make a small barely perceived motion to the bow on his back and continues “I’m a decent shot with this bow,” pointing to it “most of the village will agree with that.” Gesturing to those present from the village. “I hunt for most of our food.” He then falls silent waiting for a reply from glasses with an almost blank expression on his face, although those familiar with lizardfolk could tell he was a bit apprehensive about taking on the hag, since it seems more dangerous than his typical hunts and he might end up being the hunted instead of the hunter in the upcoming fight.

Berrus upon seeing the Lizard folk and looking back at the Grung mutters to himself 

"Grreat looks like tis to be a mod fight then, no tactics are goin t' go wi' tis bunch"     

then to Shae and Maxine  ide ruther you two stay back a bit when the fracas starts, yer both too valuable to be ne'er th' front

"Look at the bright side," Maxine was full of optimism today, "at least those lizarmen look like warriors" (considering the group consisted of two puny human girls, a dwarf and a gnome, lizardfolk - where the average fighter was bulkier and taller than a human - looked indeed impressive) "and they speak common. No translation problems is already a win, I say. Though, it means Professor should be close to grung, and we need him to be safe. Well, strategy is your thing, use us as you see fit."

The Professor:

The Professor is over near Berrus, spending his time translating as needed.  When Fang comes up and introduces himself, Snively says, "A pleasure to meet another Lizardfolk warrior.  And you want to stay with our group and use your bow skills?  Excellent.  I will inform Berrus," he says, indicating the sturdy dwarf at the center of the discussion.  Looking at Fang, he adds by way of explanation, "In matters of language, magic, and scholarship, I am often sought out to guide our group.  In matters of battle, we defer to the Battle Master, Berrus."

"Berrus, this is Fang, an accomplished bowman who wishes to join our group during the battle," the Professor explains, then goes back to translating as needed.  OOC:  If the Lizardfolk speak Common, that will ease the burden on Snively.  If not, this may be his full-time job for the near future...

Shae would wake up with a start. Something felt like she had slept in. Scrambling to her feet, the scholar would pack her bag as fast as she could and run out to meet up with the others. She'd look apologetically to the others. "I'm, uh. I'm okay Maxine." Not wanting to spend resources on herself, she'd smile to her friend. Shae did feel better, but she was definitely still healing. I'll just take it easy... She'll try and convince herself as she listened to Berrus instruct where he wanted everyone to stand. The medic would nod along, knowing full well she will most likely go against his wishes of staying at the back. Shae shared the same desire as the Professor of being close to the hag, but also understood why she should remain downrange. The hag would be looking for the pearl on her possession right? She'd nibble her lip and follow everyone out to the meeting place.

While at the meeting place, Shae would stand behind and off to the side of both the Professor and Berrus. She would bow her head in greeting to Skinny, then to Fang, acknowledging the skills highlighted. She'd wait for the Professor and the others to introduce themselves first and when it felt appropriate, Shae would speak up. "I'm Shae. A medic, of sorts."

Berrus, as you take stock of the different groups, you start to see how they could work together, but communication is going to be difficult, and the Professor was going to be key in that he would be able to coordinate different groups and call out for help. 

You remember that the mephits and the will- o'whisps where difficult to target, and you wonder what the best approach to them is, since they didn't pose a particular threat, but you won't be able to afford to be bogged down. You learned that silver weapons are imbued with some of the moon's magic, and might help in doing some damage against these, but looking around you, you don't see many silvered weapons apart from your own.

The biggest concern for the immediate task at hand, the preparation of a battle plan, was howver the fact that there was no guarantee that the hag would be at the same spot as the last time save for her summoning circle. But you already figured out that the Skull, which houses her lair can move, and the disruption of her circles by the Professor's earth molding powers likely led her to change tactics for one of the most crucial rituals of her life.