Before the group moved anywhere, Maxine looked at the paler than normal Shae, tsk-ed a couple of times, and then waved her hand Cure Wounds 6 "My old magic did not help us much last time, but at least it is good for something here." "Oh, and take this," she gave Shae a vial with green transparent liquid in it. "Made this morning, tested on myself - works fine on humans, makes you sturdier for a while. Taste is a bit off and time could be longer - the effect is only 10 minutes by now, but the formula is finalized. Keep it for the taught moments."

Fang stands idly near Berrus after having been introduced to him by Glasses. Looking over the odd assortment of creatures before him amazed that such different peoples are able to work together. They appear so squishy and frail, except for maybe the dwarf in the shiny clothes.

Being in his native habitat and mostly at ease in nature and at ease hunting at the very least he watches Berrus with mild curiosity as he draws plans for the upcoming fight in the dirt.

He briefly looks over to Shae and makes a brief acknowledgement of her introduction, a bit confused as to why she is called Shae as he’s unable to see any reason why she is called as such and was unfamiliar with the term as well as what a medic was. Fang looks over the group searching for an identifiable feature for each being he now finds himself in the company of. 

He already knew the short one he spoke with first to be Glasses hearing that from Skinny. The one that spoke to him said she was Shae, he considered that Shae might do for now, but then thought perhaps the other word she used ‘medic’ might be better. Unfamiliar with either word Fang continued thinking about it as he looked over to Maxine.

Fang then observes Maxine, though he doesn’t know this to be her name yet, healing Medic as it looks similar to how he receives healing from one of the village priests if injured during a hunt. Then sees a vial being giving from Maxine to Medic and debates in his mind wether he should call Maxine priest or vial. As he’s debating this he notices the crossbow Maxine carries and decides that Bolt would be a better name for her.

With those two names decided upon Medic(Shae) and Bolt(Maxine) he turns his focus to the figure he was told is a dwarf. Fang admires the shininess of the armor Berrus wears, and unaware of it’s actual name, sees that it’s made up of many layers of small rings and decides to call the dwarf Rings. Having arrived at a decision for names for everyone he takes a moment to address this new group he will be with.

Getting their attention he begins “Glasses mentioned you are leading those gathered in upcoming fight” looking at the Dwarf “I have decided based on your appearance, as is lizardfolk custom that I will call you Rings.” Turning to Shae says something along those lines indicating her name is Medic in his mind since he doesn’t notice anything particularly distinctive in her appearance, same to Maxine with her name being Bolt. Finishing speaking to the three of them he continues “I do not intend to offend, lizardfolk custom is to have name based on appearance or job and I know not yet your jobs. My full name is Thesekel Harroc but I was given Fang upon hatching because I had the longest teeth of my brood.” He then shows them his really long tooth as proof. Then looks at them not sure how to interrupt body language from squishy ones he hopes they aren’t angry at him for the names he has given them. “I hear glasses saying things I’m unfamiliar with to the frog people. If you three,” points at Medic, Bolt, and Rings “need help talking to my kin. I will help as much as I can. I do not know the Frog people speak.” Turning his attention to Rings “Glasses said he trusts you with matters of battle. Please tell me where you want my bow.” With that he falls silent watching the group with caution as this is his first time around non lizardfolk, not counting the frog people of course.

Berrus looks up,

are ye all bowmen or do some of ye get in close?

“We are all trained in using at least two kinds of weapons. Be it axes, clubs, swords, or spears for up close fighting. Those that like being in close usually like using shield too. Most of the hunters prefer distance weapons boomerangs, crossbows and bows. And those that fish brought their nets I think. I know not who brought what. But I can find out.” Without waiting for Rings reply, and wanting to seem useful, Fang goes over to his kinsman and begins making a mental list of who prefers what weapons and then reports back to Rings. 

Maxine observed the teeth (from both sides, even) and nodded energetically: "As long as it is not "Food" I am fine with any name. Back home I am more known as Maxine Rian, but sure thing, if your custom dictates to assign something shorter and defining, Bolt will work." She was beginning to understand Professor's ethnological curiosity - to meet such a piece of civilization in the middle of nowhere, with elaborated speech, familiarity with mechanical weapons and knowledge of outside world language... It sure was fascinating. Just think what they could know potions-wise! But even Maxine understood that simple walking in and request to share the secrets would not work. Some demonstration of a good will first. "I think I can speak your language," added Maxine in Draconic. "You do understand me, right? Books said you will. So, should some of yours need translation - I will help."

Then she left strategists to plan their attack. She liked plans, even if they rarely worked. 

Hearing his native tongue from one of the squishy ones is a bit of a surprise for Fang but he looks at Bolt and nods once, replying in his native tongue, “Yes, you seem to speak it quite well. Being able to communicate on the battlefield should benefit all.”

Fang looks over the squishy ones again, unsure who ‘books’ might be. Since he hasn’t seen any of the squishy ones with one. He hoped to find one, he very much enjoyed reading the one he had, having lost count of how many times he’s read it. Perhaps she was referring to Glasses. He then considers maybe she was just referring to books that she has read. Fang makes a mental note to ask if they have any books like the one he has. 

Glasses:

     The Professor chimes in, saying first in Common, then in Draconic and Grung, “And I can translate for the Grung as needed.”

Fang is again surprised to hear his native tongue from another of the squishy ones, not to mention the sounds he’s heard from the frog people. Though his face reveals little of this. He simply looks at Glasses and nods in acknowledgment. 

A wave of relief would wash over Shae as Maxine sees through her modesty. "Thank you." She'll say quietly with a shy smile to her friend. Without question, she would accept the vial from Maxine and hold it up to the light to inspect it. She was curious to see if she'd be able to figure out what ingredients she used to make the potion from their studies recently. After having some fun quizzing herself, Shae will tuck the vial away for safekeeping.

As she sees and hears the others all find a common tongue to speak over, Shae would look to Berrus. He didn't have to say anything for them to know what part he played. As for her... she'd look herself over. There really wasn't much she had to offer to this group that would be unique besides the voice in her head. And how would that sound to a native like Fang? She would start to nibble on her lip as she began working herself up with anxiety. Suddenly Shae's eyes would go wide as she'd come to realize something. She'll immediately plop herself down on the ground and frantically thumb through her tomb.

"If the lizard folk are willin im thinking a basic wedge. Wi' me as the point.  Shield bearers angling back.   Spears jus behind in order to strike tween the shield bearers.  Perfesser and magik folk behin them in center of th wedge.   Then bowmen back an on the flanks"

Berrus draws this on the ground then looks up

"Think ye ken explain.....glasses" he says with a low chuckle

Glasses:

Ah, the wonders of new nicknames.  At least “The Professor” or “Brofesser” and “Glasses” were better than what they called him behind his back at the university.  Snively nods and begins explaining to B’ark so she can get in on the plan.

Fang begins to explain Rings(Berrus) plan to his kinfolk brining them over to look at the drawing in the dirt speaking to them in draconic. 
Fang is impressed by the tactics displayed by the least squishy looking creature of the new group he is with and doesn’t believe his kin will have issue with the proposed plan. 

As his kin are discussing the proposed plan amongst themselves Fang leans close to Rings “I will stand behind Glasses. With your approval.” To give some justification for his choice. “I know some healing from tribal priests. And you and Glasses easy to shoot over”

Fang the rejoins his kin in discussion of the battle plan. 

Berrus looks at Fang

good an ye can relay command to yer kin ifn we have to break formation

Glasses:

Assuming B'ark agrees with the formation, the Professor looks to the stout dwarf and says, "The Grung are prepared.  Lead on, Berrus, and let us slay the Hag before she can summon her sisters tonight."

A simple plan would work best, particularly if orders might need to be relayed more than once, and language might become an issue. As the plan is discussed in the group, several of the fighters of one group or another was asking questions, and the ripple of translation, discussion, retranslation, and further discussion was a sign of things to come. Much to the joy of the Professor however, the fighters at present all seemed to be willing to cooperate, at least for now.

Shae, you find only two small sentence underneath the last part.

Don't be afraid! I'm with you.

Reassured and inspired, you return to the planning, feeling like you were ready for the coming struggle.

With the plan finalised and last preparations made, you start making your way towards the lake, to then follow the shore to the place where you found the hag's lair the last time.

The trek is still arduous, but since you know the distance involved, you can keep the rest of the group informed and you ca nall pace yourselves. Though the hot, humid air and the thick sticky mud makes any advance slow, you steadily move forwards, and the travelers in particular are keeping a sharp eye out for mephits or will o'whisps.

After several hours of marching, you suddenly come to the realisation though that you must have passed the spot where the hag had made her lair, but there was no sign of either her summoning circle, or of the giant's skull anywhere near you to be found. As you order the group to rest as you discuss how to proceed, you're pretty sure that you overshot the place her skull was the last time by at most half an hour. Some of the lizardfolk immediately step forward as trackers, and Shae, you feel darkness welling up around you, evil magics, in the ground and the air around you, but getting stronger as you start heading west, back into the swampy jungle.

Fang looks at the squishy ones, and singles out glasses with his somewhat predatory gaze “How much further?”

Shae could feel the shadows creeping in. They overshot where her lair was, but yet she felt close. Nibbling on her lip, the scholar will step forward to approach Berrus and Maxine while Fang presses the Professor. She'd glance over to Snively apologetically before looking back to Maxine knowing she would recognize what Shae did, as they travelled together to the hags hut the first time. "We overshot it." She'd pause for a moment. "But..." Feeling safety and comfort in the presence of Berrus and Maxine, Shae would finally close her eyes to focus her senses on the darkness. Feeling it pull her, she'd first want to resist, but then she'd take a breath and let it guide her. "To the west..." It would take a second longer before she'd force her eyes open. "I sense her magic to the west." Avoiding eye contact, Shae would look to the ground before looking up to the sky.

(What time of day are we approaching? Can she see stars?)

"West it is!" Maxine knew better then to argue with the proven methods. In a way it was Shae's show, guided magically, and Maxine turned west. "Do you think her hut just invisible, or she is hiding on another plane or something?"

"I wonder if the Professor had a way of detecting to prove either of those theories." Shae would also reflect in on the magic she felt, to see if she could indicate either of those possibilities.