Seeing Nate lying there with his entrails exposed, Kincaid cries "Hang in there Big Guy!" and races over.
Once Nate is patched up, Kincaid suggests to the Cheetah woman, "Perhaps we should go find them and convince em to leave? One way or another..."
"That wasn't a fully grown one??" Rokas then turn to Kincaid. "And you want to go hunting for the big ones??" Just as he thought that the outside world wasn't so bad, Rokas feel really uneasy about creature bursting out of the ground with barely any warning.
"We were unprepared for this one, with time to prepare, we could be much more ready for future fights." Hylar sees these as quite the threat, and worries about the safety of their erstwhile allies if they had been ambushed alone.
Terex's stinger was poised to strike when the bulette died, but the little pseudodragon relaxes as it breathes its last.
I don't think the rest of you could sneak up on them... Terex broadcasts to everyone. I don't think we want to try to fight two bigger versions of this at once. We've learned there must be a mated pair around, so it's better for us to take that information with us and leave.
The white tiger eyes Kincaid. "And which god do you follow? I am sorry, I should have recognized a fellow kindred." He bows, and taps his armor, which shows claws. "Bast, obviously."
The cheetah shakes her head. "It was full grown, but only just. The difference between a raw recruit on his first week and a seasoned soldier with several campaigns behind them, if you follow my words. Is anyone else injured?" She looks around.
I think the rest of us are fine, Terex replies, looking back over the group. Well, maybe a few scratches.
I suppose with all of us we might be able to take on two creatures this size, but if your city has more forces for taking care of problems like this it might be better if we leave this to them.
"That was a nasty critter, must have gotten a lucky hit in I've never felt my scales being ripped out like that. Why did it set it's eyes on me I didn't harm it hardly at least, I didn't feel like any of my waters connected properly." Nate wonders aloud before turning to thank both of the paladins.
Inside his antique fluted helm Kincaid grinned as he returned the bow, "I have the honour of serving Sithana Nehandris. I am sworn to protect, but I fear a smart one of those would be beyond me. That one certainly had the muscle if not the brains..."
The white tiger chuffs. "The drow b..goddess? I had not heard of any drow goddesses being worshipped anywhere near here. Indeed, I had assumed only the drow worshipped such. Still, I cannot gainsay your goddess or your piety, given your display of favor. Quit obviously Bast placed you in my path so I could learn a bit of humility for making assumptions."
The cheetah laughs. "Or else as a lesson to pay more attention when the High Priestess gives her lectures on other faiths."
The white tiger rubs the back of his ear, a slightly chagrined expression on his feline face. "I did have a tendency to nod off in those classes..." He chuffs.
Kincaid replied softly, "Sithana found me I think before I knew fully what she was. My guardian once told me, judge not a book by it's cover. He was right, in the end it's her ideals that count not her race, at least in my eyes." He paused for a moment before adding, "Perhaps we'd better not tarry here, particularly if junior's parents are around."
Does your city have some forces that could come get rid of the bulettes so no one else gets hurt? Terex asks the three.
"Now that we know there is a mated pair in the area, the Militia will be dispatched to hunt them down and exterminate them." The cheetah says.
The yellow tiger puts his weapons away, and then grabs the tail of the Bulette, and with a massive grunt lives the huge thing off the ground and settles it on his shoulders, using the tail like a handle. Blood dribbles and oozes down his body as he begins to walk, his feet leaving deep tracks in the earth. "Geh, it don't feel like no cub, heavy as scat." The tiger grumbles, dragging the dead bulette along.
The leopard laughs. "Well, if you want me to take over, let me know. After it stops bleeding that is."
"What, you too dainty to get bloody?"
"Not at all, just don't see a reason to do so if I don't need to."
The white tiger shakes his head. "Come along children. At least we won't have to worry about anything other than gray hidesfor awhile."
The cheetah nods. "Nothing will come near something that killed a gray hide, except perhaps an angry mother or father."
The yellow tiger chuffs. "So maybe we can draw mom and pop in, have a real good fight."
"Only you would consider that good." The leopard comments, shaking his head.
The next two days sees the bulette carcass hauled alternately by the tiger or the leopard, with both ending up with dried blood on their fur by the time the group reaches the city.
The city is about 5 miles across, with massive wooden pallisades around it. It's not a fortress like Kotelia, but the wooden walls are obviously built for defense. The walls, instead of being one solid wall all the way around, instead are layered walls, three layers deep, with overlapping sections. Each wall is about two feet thick, and made of tree trunks banded together with metal straps and rods. The trunks seem to be buried in the ground, and the walls themeselves are 30 ft tall. There are walking platforms built into the back sides of the wall sections, and the smaller gaps are about 8 ft across. Behind each small gap is a spiked steel wall about 20 ft high on rails that can be pushed into the gap to close it off.
The actual 'entrance' to the city from the road has an gap that's 30 ft wide. Instead of the spiked walls from the smaller gaps, there are metal gates that can be slid into place across the roadway attached to each wooden wall, the steel gates on rollers so they move quickly. Each gate is an inch thick steel plate, 20 ft high. There are three total, making it easier to hack through the wooden walls than through the steel gate.
The group is met at the gate by the Militia, six massive lions in full plate, each with an equally massive battle axe.
The older one, judging by the gray in his mane, steps forward, and profers a hand, claws out, raised up. The cheetah woman returns it. "Praise be to Bast." The lion rumbles, the sound slightly higher pitched than an earth quake.
"Praise be to Bast." The cheetah intones, apparently a greeting.
The lion pounds the handle of his axe into the ground, and leans on it as he looks at the group. "Looks like your hunting was successful, nice sized gray hide. Ought to fetch a good bounty. Who're the strangers?"
The cheetah turns to the group, and introduces them one by one. When she's done, she turns back to the Lion. "Travellers we met on the road to Druvei'Sala. They assisted with taking down the gray hide. They seek peaceful entrance to the city."
The lion rubs his chin. "Well, as long as they peace bond their weapons, that can be done." He eyes the group. "Can't say any of them are on wanted poster's I'm aware of."
Turning back to the group, the cheetah bows. "It is my pleasure to introduce Mar Krava, Altrop of the Militia of Sethaleash." "Altrop is one step below Sentrop, which is one step below Matrop, which is in the highest rank in the militia."
Oh, good, Terex replies when told the militia will handle the bulettes, relieved to hear that they won't have to worry about fighting two bulettes.
He marvels quietly at the big cat-peoples' strength as they drag the massive carcass with them while they travel.
During the journey, Terex mostly stays in his usual spot 50' above the group, but he chats with the Fashtali often, asking questions about the surrounding area and Sethaleash.
I think they depend on more than just being near Kotelia for protection he comments to his squad as they near the walls of the city.
Terex comes down to a landing as they near the walls, trotting quickly to keep up with all the longer-legged people around him. He bows his head to Mar Krava as the cheetah introduces him.
Greetings, Altrop Mar Krava, Terex broadcasts to everyone in range, I'm, um, afraid I can't peace-bond my stinger, but I don't think that's going to worry anyone here.
He looks up at the massive lion with a sheepish grin, conscious again of his small size. We're... well, basically explorers, from a couple of different places. We're traveling because we've found the difference between rumors of distant places and the truth of them can be very different, and we'd rather have the second than the first.
"No matter how many times you come and how often leave to study elswhere it's always impressive to return to see the city and the strength it symbols. If we have time I like to check around and see if my clan is close by or perhaps in the city to trade, would like to drop in and see how they are doing if that's the case." Nate says as the come closer to the city
Kincaid bows to the dignitaries, "Greetings Altrop Mar Krava, it was an honor to aid the Militia in a small way. Of course I have no problem peace binding my blade, I'd be loathe to use it within a civilized town regardless."
Once his weapon has been bound according to custom he risks asking a question, "If I may be so bold Altrop, I hear Sethaleash has graciously taken in a large number of serpent folk refugees. Very commendable but no doubt a little awkward for you. Is there a long term plan for them, presumably they'll need to resettle somewhere?"
"Peace bond?" Rokas looks at his Morningstar hanging from his belt, unsure how to do that since it doesn't have any sheath. "I, um, I might need some help with that. Or do you have a safe box where I can leave it?"
Mar Krava nods at Nate. "See you're back, wyrmling. Your mother will be looking for you. You'd best get your tail in motion, not a smart thing to annoy that one." He waves Nate through without requiring a peace bond.
At Lashki's look, the lion rumbles. "I doubt you remember him, cub. He was a wyrmling back when I was doing your job. Half-dragons, long lives, like drow or demon-spawn. His mother is Mother One-Eye, and she's in town trading... and ready to eat a few serpentfolk if they don't watch their tongues. No telling what she'd do to a cocky half-grown son who ran off to be an adventurer."
Lashki's ears flicker. "Oh my, yes, you should get your tail in motion, Nate. I would hate to see your hide on the wall drying."
Algar and Rathnas both laugh. Nalthas looks confused. "What is the joke?" He rumbles, causing Algar and Rathnas to laugh harder.
Mar Krava chuckles some, and waves at Nate again. "Go on boy, don't make me kick your tail up between your ears... again. I could whip your hide when I was 20 years younger, I still can."
Then turning to the rest of the group, he produces some red ribbons. "No need to turn it in, hobgoblin. Just run the ribbon through the chain links and tie it around the haft, that's enough."
Turning to Kincaid, he rubs an ear. "We did, most of 'em aren't such bad folk. They don't like the weather around these parts, used to jungles. They'd head south to Taksi if they could figure a way around the Necropolis without losing half their people to the rocks on the ocean. As it is, the colder it gets, the crankier they get. And some of 'em, well, let's just say I've had to bust a few snake snouts."
Terex figures that, since he didn't get a response, there's no real concern about his stinger.
He looks over at Nate. Is your mother famous, Nate? he asks.
Well she has a bit of a temper and she is a danm good orge-hunter, she would skin them and hang thier skins to dry in the sun to intimidate the orges nearby. She is a strong mage who at her height of power could rival the orge mages and some younger dragons including my father. Nate thinks back to Terex
Nate smiles at Mar Krava "We both know I was always more drawn to setting in a library rather then doing field training like the rest of you. You are holding yourself good despite you age Mar but I think my new tricks and the fact that I've learnt to fly properly would give me an advantage this time around. But as you said I don't have time to see if its my tail between my ears or yours between your ears, unless ofcourse you are welling to risk angering my mother for holding me up here playing instead of sending me straight to her for a scolding. Who knows maybe she might eat a few serpent folk if she finds out." He says with a wink and begins to walk past him.
Oh, Terex replies, both fear and curiosity coming across in the one 'word'.
Do you think I could meet her? he asks after a moment as curiosity, as it usually did, won out.
Kincaid had no idea what this necropolis was, but perhaps he could get the Altrop explain. He nodded, "I see, what's the problem with the Necropolis? They not allowed through or something?"
Are there a lot of undead there? Terex guesses.
Hylar ponders making a joke that Terex has amorous intentions towards Nate's mother, merely to jest about the size difference that would be incumbent there, but decides the better of it. It was not wise to speak of a companion's mother in that fashion. He allows his weapon to be peacebonded, and ponders what they would do to Kasha. He would not allow them to muzzle her, though given their own feline natures he doubted they would require such.
When the weapons are done being peacebound, the lion directs his gaze toward Hylar. "You are responsible for your companion while in the city. If your companion attacks anyone, it will be killed, fair warning. If it damages anything, you will be responsible for paying the damages." The words have the taste of a rote warning passed on to all.
He turns toward the smaller dragons. "Your natural weapons are, of course, not peacebound. But then, neither are anyone else's, so I suggest maintaining control of your self."
"You may all enter, and have a nice day. You four take the carcass around to the butcher's row." He tells the four road militia.
Lashki nods, and turns to the group. "If you care to meet us later this evening at the Skinned Skunk, we'll see to it you get your share of the bounty. If you can't, we'll leave it with the Militia Office in the morning." She bows, and the four leave, each giving a goodbye.
"Farewell..."
"Until we meet again."
"Don't drink no horse p**s..."
"Gut you later!"
Terex nods at Mar Krava. Of course. he responds when warned about his natural weapons.
As the militia leaves, Terex broadcasts to the party, Maybe we should go to the market first? We could sell some things, then go look around for a bit before meeting at the evening to get our share of the bounty. Maybe Nate can meet us there after seeing his mom?
"Well gentlemen I think we know where and when to meet up again? Should we go about our business here untill then, seems like I have gotten an appointment I wasn't aware I had, but I better get going or I'll never hear the end of it." Nate asks.
Kincaid nods before saying with a grin, "Nate I'm sure this wont be necessary but in case it is... I'll be at the Skinned Skunk from eight onward this evening. Will give you an excuse to get away if you need it, or not - I won't be offended."
After that Kincaid heads off to the market with Terex, mostly to nose around and for some small talk. He was curious to find out what was on the mind of the locals, where they grumbling about Serpentfolk? He hoped not but that would be a useful detail for their report.
How about we sell the scrolls of bestow weapon proficiency , peacebond, and ki arrow to start? Terex suggests.
Once the selling is done, Terex will simply explore around in the city with anyone else who wants to come with him, looking and listening at anything that catches his curiosity.
The group moves around the city, looking, and finds hundreds of felines walking around busy with their day to day lives. Smaller cubs race around, roaring, growling, and squealing playfully. All in all, the place looks very homey and peaceful.
When they reach the center of town, they find a large circular town center with a stone statue of Bast, the goddess of Fahstali. To the north of the center is an obvious temple, several floors high with cat motifs on the outside.
The rest of the town center is filled with carts, blankets, and temporary stalls set up with goods. A few centaur are here and there, selling wares, as well as a few serpentfolk here and there. However, the vast majority of the merchants are Sleeva, tall lanky thin Fahstali with spots and tawny coats.
Terex takes it all in joyfully, reveling in seeing new people and places.
Terex helps sell the scrolls, then after they're done, he curiosly asks, So how long has this city been here?
It's been her for at least a century, but beyond that I don't know how old it is, most texts seems to be contradictory to the exact age. Nate responds to Terex as he walks over to the statue of his goddess and offer her a traditional prayer. He turns to the others "I think I need to look around for my mother for now, most traders should be able to speak the common tongue, but if you find troubles I can help you later get some trading done. If we don't meet before nightfall I'll find you all at the skinned skunk" Nate says taking a bow for the group.
"Nat'erius La'gracius Drag'eon'ael!" A voice booms, and all haggling pauses as the locals suddenly part like a wave. At the other end of the wave is a Fashtali cheetah woman in half-plate, with more muscles than are usually seen on a Sleeva. She has a polearm in one hand, and a heavy pack slung over her other shoulder, held on by her other hand. Her right eye is covered by a red leather patch, and white fur crosses her tawny face in three rows, passing under the patch, an obvious scar. Speaking of which, she has more white fur scars in various patches all over her body. "Someone told me that my son was in town, but I called him a liar and nearly pulled his tongue out. Because, says I, my son would never come back to town and not speed away to see his mother first thing. Now I've an honor debt to a damn Bhagra to deal with. Get over here before I take that honor debt out of your scales, you miserable whelp!"
Terex's little head whips over to the source of the shout. He notes Nate's full name with curiosity, but mostly he's kind of worried for his new friend.
Would it help if we tell her it's our fault? he silently asks Nate, a bit of trepidation in his mental voice.
Hylar tries not to be openly afraid of Nate's mother, which is somewhat difficult due to her size and weaponry. Also her attitude doesn't help matters. He tries to lag a little behind Kasha.
Nah Terex that wouldn't work when she is in that mood. Nate says with an uneasy smile taking of to flyve over to his mother. "I'm sorry mother I was right on my way to you, I was told you were here trading so I came straight to the marketpalce. But I guess the slander in town travels faster then ever because I could have sworn I was ahead of the gossipers." He responds looking somewhat smaller then he normally is, clearly having a great respect for his mother despite not following the path she wanted for him.
Terex, curious and just a little nervous for Nate, follows a respectful distance behind the half-dragon.
The woman stalks up to Nate, and a mailed fist makes a ringing sound on the side of his head. "Sleeva do not let gossip run faster than they do. A good Sleeva is on his second wind before a good rumor gets out of bed in the morning." The blow rocks Nate's head, and leaves scrape marks on his scales. The feline stalks around him then, looking him up and down. "What happened to your armor? It's got bits ripped open, and their's blood stains on it." She says critically, looking at where the chain shirt is pinched together from field repairs after the Bulette tore it open, along with Nate's chest. "I told you to use a good solid breastplate, that 'chain' you wear won't stop a good blade, or a monster claw." She jerks the chain open, popping the repairs open to show the scales underneath. "At least you had a cleric or something nearby, no signs of scars, and the damage to the armor is fresh. At least I hope you haven't been walking around looking like a beggar for long." She begins yanking the armor off Nate in the middle of the street. "Get it off before you ruin our family name, boy. At least we can get it repaired. I swear, your father is the fault of you. Should have known a silver furred Sleeva was a dragon in disguise, the old pervert."
Rocking a rather big headache Nate responds to his mother "I know mother, I might have spend to much time in the library in the city of the half dragons. I guess the part of my father in me is stronger then the gifts you gave me and I've gotten lazy cooped up with books detailing how to handle being halfdragon."
He sturdies her walking around him and responds to her question. "My companions and me had a run in with a Bulette on the way here. A youngling just out of it's youth, angry as hell and it set it's eyes on me and dug botg claws in me very good. I'm glad I am traveling with a paladin. My plan was to get it repaired as soon as I got to town but then I heard you were here and I had to but that on hold. As to not using a breastplate, it feels restrictive on me when performing the talents for the water element to be ant usefull, I need a good bit of freedom to better pull in the forces of nature and uunlease it."
Nate smiles a bit as she mentions his father. "He might have been an old pervert, but at least he had good taste, afterall you didn't leave me to my own device as a cup/wyrmling. You may be tough on me and knock me around a little, but I could never ask for a better mother." He says smiling adjusting the water to form an armor around him now that he is without his chainshirt.
Terex lands on the edge of a roof about 30' away and tries not to look like he's staring.
She holds up the armor, and shakes her head. "Might as well be wearing leaves and bark, like some damn Druid." She says disparagingly. "And I see your father's silver tongue is trying to talk your way out of trouble. So you made friends huh? Well bring them over, let me see what sort of disreputable trash you've fallen in with." She snorts, balling the chain up and dumping it in her bag. "Worthless thing. You need to work hard and get a mithral breastplate." She slams her fist into her own. "Otherwise you're just wearing garbage."
"I was bound to inherirate something from him despite my dragon-look. I am saving up for one, but they are not exactly cheap. I'll call my friends over." Nate says turning toward Terex's location to speak to his mind. Terex would you ask the others to come join us? Mother wants to meet my friends.
Hey, Nate's scary mom wants to talk to all of us, Terex broadcasts to the rest of the group, notes of both humor and unease in his mental voice.
He flies over to Nate, coming to a stop in midair next to the half-dragon, his little wings flapping hard to keep him more-or-less in the same spot at eye level.
He dips his head in respect to the intimidating Sleeva. I am Terexaltherin, he 'says' to her.
At Terex invitation, Rokas poke Kincaid with his elbow. Let's go fearless leader, time to face the most scaring things in the world, an upset mother!" He smiles a bit at is own joke as he walks toward Nate.