Lotham winces slightly as Xanya ignores the introductory pleasantries.
"Perhaps... perhaps a magical barrier? Maybe one made of thorns or ivy?"
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"Perhaps, it would have to be lengthy to prevent circumvention, and what would prevent one from chopping through it or burning it?"
"Magic? I'm afraid the answer is beyond my knowledge."
"I wonder if the solution could be a bunch of "monsters" living there. The sight of Lotham and I may be enough for them to decide elsewhere might have better trees, though that could lead to more unpleasantness as well."
"I don't want to take on a role of scaring off intruders by my mere presence."
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"Yes, I would rather have less unpleasantness rather than more. Despite our people's love of battle nothing good can come from a perpetual war with these stronger nations."
"True. If we show ourselves as monsters, that's all we're ever going to be to them. We have to show then that we are good people too. That might also cause them to do crusades down through here to clear out monsters. And that wouldn't be good for anyone."
Simon pulls at the pointy part of his chin where a beard would be, if, ya know, he had any hair.
"Perhaps when we speak with the dwarves and humans we will find some solution with them, to encourage those rogue loggers and miners to gather elsewhere."
"Perhaps it is time for us to find a new homeland. While our current lands are well known to us and this plateau and lake is sacred, we would consider the move to similar lands elsewhere as long as we are not pushing out any other peoples. Do you think any of you would be able to aid us in finding new lands? I know your people to not know the world as it is now, but perhaps as you spread out and seek your master you may find lands suitable for habitation. This process will not happen overnight. I also feel that perhaps we can sell the rights to our lands to the dwarves and humans and with the money fund our move to a new location."
The suggestion seems to shock the other Elders but as the possibility sinks in they seem to mull it over, weighing the pros and cons. So far, none of them have spoken in the proceedings.
Lotham nods slowly, eyes wide. That would be a difficult transition for them to make. "I will keep my eyes open as I travel."
Aury nods solemnly. "We will send a message if we find somewhere suitable."
"Until then, it may be best to not tell the dwarves and humans that you are considering selling. It could put you in a weaker position and end up encouraging more people to encroach on your lands."
She looks at the others who came to the meeting to make sure they understand.
Kiki adds from Xanya's shoulder "we will keep our eyes open for land suitable for you and for magic that would help you" the Spiderlings face takes on a look of insiration, floowed by a grin " You don't need necesarily need ways to keep them out, you just need ways to make coming here more trouble than its worth. And magic is not the only option for that, a few simple traps might help, nothing harmfull, just annoying or humiliating. Itching powder or skunk-juice are effective deterrents by nature ..."
"Thank you for being our eyes and ears in the world as you make your way within it."
Addressing Kiki, "Those are unique solutions but I feel they will do little to deter them. Their greed drives them and the desire to fuel the building needs of their kingdoms which fills their coin purses is what matters most."
Xanya nods. "Keep our eyes open in our travels we shall! It'll be a difficult task, but hopefully we'll be able to aid you. Meanwhile, if money is all that they care for, then those could be the means by which you pursue them. Put a heavy tax, fee, fine or whatever you want to call it on anyone entering your lands in order to exploit the resources, then it won't be as lucrative for them to enter. You'll be well within your rights without breaking any treaties as those will be the laws of your land. Patrols could make sure your dues are paid, but you could also give out bounties to anyone who bring in illegal trespassers. Then they would do your jobs for you. The fines themselves should cover the cost of the bounties. Surely they'll be less interested in coming if it costs more than they gain. What do you think?"
"Your idea has merit. I must admit our people are not skilled in the sort of administrative tasks that it involves, but times will force upon us change. We cannot remain forever in the wilds always fleeing the world. If we are to live in it and take ownership of our area, we need to pursue multiple possibilities. We will consider this aspect, thank you Xanya."
"Does anyone else have any discussion topics? I will remain here for talks for people until early afternoon, then I will depart for our home village."
Quassine bows low to the Golden Ram when he greets him.
Quassine nods as he hears good and bad points being passed back and forth.
"Golden Ram, it is good that you prefer a peaceful approach to finding new lands but also you were here before they were and what happens when you run out of land to relocate to? Thousands of years of history speaks to us regarding those who keep relocating. Eventually those nomads run out of room to relocate and by then, the greedy have out numbered them which leads to the nomad's genocide. How far will you let that happen? I am not trying to incite a war, just simply pointing out an ugly truth that requires pondering."
Then Quassine bows low to the Golden Ram and turns to the group,
"Brothers and Sisters of Goodwin, us being here without acting as possibly diplomats may incite an attack from the humanoids. Of course, they may just attack us trying to act as diplomats as well? I am not sure where we stand in popularity with today's culture, 10,000 years later, but some of us are either extinct or almost extinct, evolved, learned how to get along with the humanoids, became slaves, or are most hated by them and in large populations. Regardless of what we do, we have a long road ahead of us in helping our new friends, saving Archmage Goodwin, and fulfilling our destinies whatever that may be"
Quassine bows low again.
"Quassine, indeed that is true, and we would fight if it became obvious that we had no other choices. There is much that must be considered. No important decisions will be made in a day that will affect generations."
"For the group gathered here, I thank you for coming to offer aid, and I will also extend an offer to you and your groups. If you need some basic supplies, provisions, clothing and tools, come to our village, and we can outfit you. From there you will have easier access to the lands beyond, whether you wish to involve yourselves in our affairs with our neighbors or not. You may wish to enter their lands of your own accord and take the risks associated with it. Although we have a tenuous treaty and things are not always well, I can also put in a word for any who wish to travel to the dwarven lands. Surely they would not ignore my word completely.
If your quests take you in other directions that is also understandable. Your desire to free your master is honorable, and it is my hope that some day I would meet this man that inspires such a disparate group to bond together to secure his freedom.
I will remain here for a little while, even though they are taking down the camp now and restoring the beach to a pristine condition."
Quassine bows low after the Golden Ram responds to his statement. Quassine waits in the tent as the others clear out.
"Golden Ram, your offer of assistance is most generous. I will let the rest of Lotham and my group know of it. We will certainly do everything in our power to assist you while we our on our quest. Do you have any historians or lore masters in your village to which we might speak in order to see if they know of anything that can help us?" Once he is answered Nathan will see if Lotham has any more to say and then head back to his group with him after thanking Golden Ram again.
"The Elders assembled here with me are some of the oldest, wisest and most learned among us. I suspect your questions may be quite involved however, so if you would prefer, we can arrange for a more detailed discussion upon our return to our home village. I hope that will work as we are preparing to depart the plateau. All of you are welcome to visit the village before you move on to other ventures."
As the others begin to file out, Maks enters the tent, and notices that a few people are deciding to linger, so she stays out of the way until they're finished.
Day 3 - Afternoon
After a good portion of the morning is spent in discussions with the groups of people, Golden Ram ends the talks. He leaves the tent so that the goatlings can disassemble it and pack the remaining items up and return the beachside campsite to its undisturbed pristine condition.
Golden Ram makes his way among the various groups for continued discussion and farewells.
As he moves among the various groups he offers final words, "Before we potentially part ways, I wish to thank you and also apologize. I am sorry for the misunderstanding and for my people attacking your camps. We have found you to be honorable and forthright people with a desire to rescue your leader. Your kind ways have shown us there can be good in the other races, and your words and diplomacy have convinced me that we can work on some sort of partnership amongst our people. You are all welcome to make a stop at our home village, or even travel with us as we make our own way there. While we are unable to accommodate everyone indefinitely, you are welcome to some of our supplies, tools and basic gear to begin your next journey. I know some of you wish to discuss issues with me or our elders yet, please feel free to continue these at our village. Some of you wish to also commune with the Great Water Spirit that lives here. My Elders and I have spent some time with the Spirit as well, and it has agree to aid us. This will be a boon for our people. Though your people have convinced us you are not spirits, we believe you were fated to come here, and for our people to meet. The gods and spirits work their goals in subtle ways. It has been my personal pleasure too meet all of you. Please visit our village."
Within due time, Golden Ram and his entourage pack up and head along the shore and down stream, the thunder of drums and horns signaling their departure.
If people wish to interact with other groups, you may continue to do so here. If your group leaves the lake side, post it here so others know you are gone. Most play will continue at the table level, unless there are some group interactions at the village.
Quassine bows low, "I will speak to the council then when it is more convenient. Thank you for your time." Quassine exits the tent.
Simon gives Maks a smile and nod as they pass each other in the tent's doorway, her in and he out.
With everything that happened so suddenly, he never got a chance to use the paints she had made. Hopefully he'll find a substitute for them later.
Having no use for the skin he had planned to paint, he returned it to the goatlings.
Simon will assist on packing up, relaying to Quassine and Xanya that they should go with the goatlings and get equipped.
Maks, sometime between reaching camp and the morning, makes sure to inform everyone that they'll be heading back up to the lake to go on a trip with Akluzzar to parts unknown - in hopes of finding fortune to help aid in the search for Goodwin, while spreading their good to distant horizons.
He tells his brothers and sisters "Minotaurs did not wear clothes in our day, but it has been 10,000 years. Some things must change."
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Tayanalla stands up in the meeting with Hawke, leaning on her longbow and asks: "Do you and the dwarves think the three giants we killed for you were related to this incursion, or do we think they were acting on their own?"
"The location leaves me to believe they were independent and not related. I am sure that they would attempt to recruit them if they could, they were a menace in any event."
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