"Anything you could tell us about why you want us to leave would help us move on faster," Naivara chimes in, trying to assist Kierro.

(Naivara offers help action)

Vilana is still focussed on her ritual, hoping to complete it in time to understand what the other villagers are discussing.

Adv roll for persuasion (thanks!): 31

Honor nods at Kyrian. "I think we should go before they alert someone other than other villagers," she murmurs.

The shaman and chief talk again.  This time Vilana understands their words...

"They seem strong." The shaman says.

"So what, have them fight our champion, as we have the others, and send them on their way if they lose, or poison them if they win." The chief says in return.

"I will speak to them in private." The shaman says.

"You know he will torture and kill our people if we let these strangers pass us." The chief says. The two stare at each other for a long moment, before the chief throws up his hands in defeat.  "Do what you will, but our clan's lives are on your head if you fail."

The shaman then steps forward.  "Mighty warriors, I would speak with you privately, if you wish to do anything else in our lands."  This last is spoken in heavily accented common.

Naivara nods, "Very well then."

"Alright with me." Kierro agrees.

OOC: How do you rule the Comprehend languages spell? Is Vilana able to respond in a version of their language, or is it limited only to understanding, and not speaking?

Vilana raises a hand to stop Naivara and Kierro, before saying to them and the shaman in common: "The villagers here are in danger by our mere presence. It sounds like they are kept in bondage of the white dragon or some other force. The chief is afraid for his people, but I take it that you" at this point she fixes the shaman with her steely gaze, "see us as a potential answer to your prayers in the night. I take it you want to see what we can do about your current situation. I'm speaking this now, to make your decision easier. Simply nod if what I've said is true. If it is, then don't worry, and tell your people the same. We have come here not for you, but by the time we are done with our business, you will be free too, that I guarantee. Also tell your chief that his plan is foolish- we are more than mere mortals, and neither blade nor poison will bring us down."


Vilana is trying to play into the power they exude to ensure that the villagers at worst won't get in their way, and at best will be eternally grateful for their group freeing them from bondage, when the dragon lords return successfully.

Persuasion: 13
Intimidation: 19

Kyrian shrugs "So what? I say we carry on. If they are in the thrall of the white dragon, then when we kill it we will do them a favour."

Shooting Kyrian an angry look, Vilana replies: "I for one want to focus my strength on fighting the dragon, and not the villagers tending its door mat! If we don't negotiate some sort of settlement, that's exactly what we'll be doing, and frankly it would be a waste"

"How about we focus on finding a way to assist these people, rather than threatening them," Naivara suggests.

Kyrian looks frustrated "I am not saying attack them, just ignore them. Their problems are not ours- or mine."

"If we tell the villagers we will leave, they cannot be faulted for our lies," Honor says. "They are not at fault if we fail, and if we succeed, we have no quarrel with them."

Latrius will stay quiet.

"To the dragon, failure is unacceptable. If they were deceived, they will be punished, if they helped, they will be punished, if they tried to prevent us from leaving and failed, they will be punished. Now, I have no particular love for these villagers, and their predicament, but I don't want to have to waste any of my magic or other resources to simply get to the dragon's lair, and I am even less willing to spend the entire trip their looking over my shoulder to avoid an arrow in the back..." 

Vilana is frustrated that Kyrian doesn't see the wisdom in trying to make sure their path will be clear. Changing her attitude, she lets go of her frustration and adds, in a much friendlier tone: "Plus, this is an opportunity. If we get them to agree to our help, we can expect something in return when we have dealt with the Great White. I for one haven't gotten as far in life as I have by avoiding opportunities and creating problems."

"In my tent." The shaman says again, the chief going pale at the words spoken by Vilana. The shaman gives him a look though, then heads off to the tent with the shaman-decorations on it.

Do you follow?

Vilana, wearily, follows. She hopes that the others will give her the time necessary to come to terms with the villagers here, and that the chieftain wasn't going to do anything foolish on his part.

"Bribery will not work on me. They have nothing I want." He points to the centre of the iceberg "But he does."

"Ten minutes. That's all I'm asking for." With that, Vilana sets off, following the shaman.

"Just so long as this doesn't end in a fight," Honor mutters, but follows Vilana.