Urth relates the arcane eye's reconnaissance. Are there any obvious leader yakfolk? He suggests to target them with any discussions. Maybe the non-yakfolk slaves would have to translate.
"Do we want to rukking barter for the lives of the slaves? I wonder what the ruk (WTR) yakfolk value. I doubt they value rukking gold. But maybe."
Urth, the eye spotted a few that might be of higher status than the others...more ornate dress, more lavish residences, etc. Priests perhaps.
The Neptune's engineer calms the bound fire elemental, reducing its heat output and slowly lowering the dragon skin balloon down onto the mountain. The dumbstruck yakfolk monitoring the nude halflings looks at his pipe a few moments before tossing it aside. Not seeming aggressive, he waits for touchdown.
"Don't be caring what yous be ah doing, but I ain't taking mah bloody clothes off."
Melgrom then hops of the balloon and wait for everyone else.
"Betcha an ale, Brother Soher, that the nekkid ones don't rukking serve willingly." Urth replies with a grin.
I mean should me and Illuvin go
"It was a joke Mel
Illuvin do you want to go see what the deal is?"
"A bunch of naked halflings? Sounds like a party I attended once... Anyway, let's go see what's going on here."
If you were watching Illuvin's face during the description you would have seen his distaste upon hearing about apparent slaves.
"Never heard of Yakfolk. The sound peaceful. But they look to keep slaves and guard the doors for fire giants, not known for their good works. I mean if these guys are right on the Fire Giants door step they are likely down with whatever mayhem the giants are cooking up."
"That bridge. I wonder if things go south. That might be able to cut off some of their defenders from getting in the mix. Or at least slow them."
"Hey captain, how many nude slaves do you think you could take?"
The smoking yak smiles and waves as Mel is the first to depart. He bellows on a great bone horn a tooty-toot-toot and soon a small procession is peeking over the walls as you all approach. Already there are young yakling women bringing you huge wheels of cheese and thick glasses of milk, as well as sweet baked goods like sugardoodles, ginger snaps, and of course sticky buns. Older yak women have some kind of steamy hot ale in large wooden cups, as well as savory vegetable and barley soups. All in all, quite a refreshing snack there on the cool mountainside.
Sure enough the one that must be the chief opens the main gate and is there to greet you. He points at himself "Kartha-Kaya. Arai jo? Biaibo ekune...ekune." and gestures in a way that seems to mean you are free to enter. The language is unlike anything anyone has ever heard.
Calling back to Elain "Well...no more than 2...maybe a few more if you just want to coast down to the valley."
"Damn, so probably 5 max... is that maximum capacity or you don't feel safe landing with the yaks" and she turns to illuvin
"Illuvin with that nifty lil spell of yours are you able to allow people to speak whatever the hell they are speaking?"
While departing the airship, Illuvin grabs hold of his lute, says a few arcain words and points at one of the naked halflings.
He leans in towards Elain and whispers but she hears nothing. The halfling though hears "Halfling, are you being forced to work here? Whisper your answer and I alone will hear you."
Hearing the yakfolk speaking a strange language, Illuvin casts his spell of understanding again. "Gentle people, thank you for these gifts! Come let us talk in a more comfortable place."
Illuvin, you hear a quick reply "...gods...could it be? Tread carefully newcomers, things are not what they seem...these beasts can not be trusted! They can shift skins like fresh garments. It is worse for the slaves below...free them first! Beware the three-headed monster!" he starts to tremble visibly, but the guard does not notice for the moment seemingly carried away by the festivity of the welcome wagon.
Molok follows the group as they are ushered into the Yak village. For the time he refuses all offerings, not wishing to become indebted to these people.
Urth follows his goliath companion. As much for morale support as martial.
Illuvin almost misses a step when the reply mentions shifting skins and the three headed monsters. He taps his head as he turns to Thumps to indicate for him to use his telepathy. Illuvin relays the message to Thumps and tells him to spread the word to the rest of the group.
As gifts are given, Illuvin accepts them but doesn't taste anything.
Thumps answers Illuvin. So you have known other Ghostwise. Cool I will let them know. I spent so long away from other of my kind I don't usually do this often creeps people out. Too intense I guess its faster to think words than se them you know. Oh yeah let me talk to the others.
Thumps looks at the gifts suspiciously.
Thumps takes time to warn everyone, Hi its a me Thumps. Keep your cool these guys aren't to be trusted. They can change shape and they have some sort of 3 headed monster. Apparently the slaves don't like it here but are more concerned about slaves . . . down below . . . Just be ready.
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Molok jumps and looks around, trying to find where the "voices" are coming from, before settling down and listening. He slowly readies his maul as the party waits.
Thumps, it all looks delicious. They even take bites and drinks to prove it isn't poisonous.
Thumps eyes wide looks over at Jax, Sorry should have been more clear. The slaves warned us not to trust these Yak people. In particular the mentioned a 3 headed monster. That's all the details I have.
The procession leads you along inside the village proper, continuing to offer the sweet treats and drinks along the way. You enter the grand hut of the chief and there he motions to some comfy looking sofa's "Cheadok...chead ente ock."
While being fed (or offered to be fed, anyways) and relaxing on the sofas, a few other of the large hairy bovines bring in a basin and sponge for the washing of the feet. Then of course is the smoking of the pipe weed.
Illuvin eventually takes some nibbles of cheese letting the festivities get to him. He makes small talk about yalk folk life till they get to the grand hut.
About the sofas the chief had said "Rest, surely you could use some rest."
"Oi, Illuvin, you got any idea what these fellas are saying?"
"They are keen on us resting. They are very accommodating to strangers that rode into their village on a flying ship."
Molok looks the yakfolk over and continues to stand, a look of disapproval upon his stony face.
Illuvin, you have never heard of anything like yakfolk before. However, using the magic of tongues you could perhaps start a conversation for the hour.
"So one of the reasons we stopped by is because we saw that large mill on a river. That's quite a rarity on a mountainside.
The chief nods "...thanks to the great waterwheel. Grazing is little more than scavenging. Agriculture is a staple of higher civility and leads to wonderful arts like these baked goods. Please, it would be insulting to not partake of our offerings."
During additional idle chatter you get the sense that the chief, and his people, are incredibly compassionate and empathetic. Despite their apparent isolation, they seem to have a better grasp on what the nature of humanity is than most humanoids. This makes the so-called 'slaves' even more puzzling...
Such and such continues until they begin to be a bit turned off by the party not partaking of the food, drink, and weed. Still, they allow you some privacy as you settle in to sleep for the night.
No snooping around for lil old Elain, so unless anyone wanted to do something than to bed for her
Melgrom will just sit on his bed back against the wall crossbow laid in his hands ready, with his axe in arms reach.
Urth will set his fey raven loose to snoop around while he avoids eating and drinking the offered food and drink.
He suggests that they set a watch for themselves.
Illuvin doesn't want to be rude. He'll eat some snacks and drink some beverages. "Don't mind my friends, they don't eat anything they haven't prepared themselves. Thank you for these gifts and your hospitality. Yours are a fascinating people.
When it's time to rest Illuvin makes sure the captain knows to be on guard. He summons Herm to take a look around.
When Thumps notes that others seem to suffer no ill effects and that it is souring the moods of our hosts he will eat food that he has seen other people eat and not behave irregularly.
Thumps grabs a tomato, a piece of cheese and starts to juggle hoping to entertain the Yakfolk.
When they are later left alone. "What's the plan?"
While Thumps expertly distracts the entourage, the two familiars are let loose but don't really find much more than the arcane eye has already uncovered, unless directed to interact with something...Herm needs to be extra careful to not be mistaken for a pest near the grain stores.
Elain says "When the time comes, what's our plan of attack?"
”Well, we need to ask them how to get into that rukking door.” Urth suggests.
"I know it was not why we came but I find it hard on the heart that there are slaves both here and below. We must do something."
Yes, we also need to remember that we want this to be a permanent fix, which might require some killing"
"That sounds like a good plan to me. I'd like to take a look at this door by the mill first before we strike. That slave said there were others below. I'd imagine the way down is in the mountain side. Once weare sure most of the yakfolk are asleep we can investigate. I'll send Herm back to let the rest of you know if we got it open."
Molok remains aloof from the yak people but nods his head in agreement with the other's plans.
"No people should be made slaves of. We need to look into this more."
The heavy iron door is much too heavy for Herm to get through, leading him/Illuvin to look for other entrances. He makes it across the bridge and narrowly avoids a few guards, shooing him away with their spear hafts, before Illuvin begins to feel deathly ill...
Urth's fey raven has more luck, and is able to find the same small hole that his arcane eye used to get behind the water wheel axle and into the elevator room. It seems the large iron door is further fortified by a heavy portcullis from inside. Manipulating the controls for either is beyond the birds strength.
About this same time, on Urth's watch, they come for you.
"Oooo...oooo....oooo...." a strange chanting from all around you, like some bovine lullaby. Coming through the cloth used for privacy steps forth 3 yakfolk in ceremonial garb, wielding what looks like brand new greatswords...they raise them together in unison prepared to strike the slumbering party.
Round 1:
Sohar, Jax <--UP
Enemy
Pindleton, Molok, Elain, Melgrom, Urth, Illuvin, Thumps