Saersha said, "I do though, I'll speak to them and we'll see what can be worked out." She stepped forward and moved just ahead of their group before she began to call out in draconic, "Hello Lake Claws clan. I am Saersha from Magnimar and we have come seeking to bargain for admittance to the caves leading to the Lady's Light."
There's a pause as Saersha calls out in the Draconic tongue.
Then the sound of scratching claws rapidly approaching fills the air.
Two scaled figures emerge from the shadows of the tunnel--a pair of incredibly fit lizardfolk with vibrant blue scales and white underbellies, clad in patchwork hides and loincloths. They tap their spears against the dirt as they look the party over from within the cavern entrance, their sharp green eyes contrasting against their scales. One of them steps forward, the impressive blue sailback on the top of his head scraping against the stone.
The sailbacked lizardfolk lets out a few growls and hisses, looking right at Saersha. His companion also makes a few growling noises.
"How can they stand it?"
"New arrivals, perhaps?"
"Perhaps. Can they be trusted...?"
The sailback-less one blinks and hisses some more, pointing at Saersha. The sailbacked one nods in agreement.
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Before the group leaves the cabin, Ada slips the charm around her neck. "Thank you Saersha. This is lovely."
As the group is talking about understanding languages, Ada casts Comprehend Languages on herself. She stands with a stoic face as the lizardmen speak to each other. She pretends that can't understand them in order to have an advantage if needed.
Ryn hangs back a bit, calmly watching the exchange, yet ready, should things devolve suddenly.
Saersha looked to the two lizardfolk who came out to meet them over with decided interest. They were quite fit and she really appreciated that. She listened to them discuss their group and pondered how they could stand the mist but didn't interrupt them. Then one of them pointed at her and said he thought she understood them. Saershe smiled in amusement as she responded.
Saersha gestured to herself and said her name before continuing in the draconic tongue.
The two lizardfolk exchange looks when Saersha mentions Maroux.
The sailbacked one addresses her again.
The sailback-less one looks Saersha up and down with an appraising eye before nodding in agreement. He makes a few hisses and a beckoning gesture.
Saersha found the appraising look to be amusing and while some might feel like they were being looked over like a piece of meat, Saersha was pleased when she received such looks. She gestured for the others to follow and said, "Come, they are taking us to see their warchief." Letting her friends decide if they would come along or not Saersh proceeded to follow the two lizardmen, giving the sailback-less one a wink as he turned away.
Azura nods. "Sounds good... I hope? Was he looking at you like that because he was planning to eat you, or...?"
Saersha rolled her eyes and said, "No Azura, I don't believe that is quite what he meant. Remember what we were told about her last visit here?" She arched an eyebrow questioningly.
"You think he's hoping to plumb your cloaca? I'd think we weren't very attractive to lizard-people, since I presume that lizard-women don't have boobs, so we just look fat. I guess magical lust enchantments can cover for a variety of shortcomings, though."
Saersha shrugged and said, "Who knows?"
"Well, we might find out. Lead the way."
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Ulfr raises an eyebrow at the conversation, but shrugs and proceeds to follow.
”Maybe curves and weight are attractive to them? Or they’ve interacted with human-looking people enough to develop interests?” Zev thinks aloud.
"Probably a bit of both." Ryn says with a chuckle. "If you look around, there's a lot of instances where people find others who are very different attractive for one reason or another. And it seems like there's people of damn near every race attracted to humans."
The sailback-less guard's tongue flicks at Saersha as she winks at him.
The lizardfolk guards lead the party into the rune-warded cave, with several brightly-glowing blue fungi lighting the way inside. The cave's interior is slightly less humid than the surrounding swampland, but just as warm for the season.
The cave slopes downward for several feet before branching off to the west, north and east. Lizardfolk of many different varieties of scale colours mill about, most of them pausing in their labours to stare at the seven newcomers. A couple of them break off from their duties to follow the party as they're led down the eastern tunnel.
After passing a cavern guarded by two more vicious-looking guards, the party is led to what looks like an expansive shrine. A massive (albeit crude) painting of Gozreh in Their dual aspects dominates the northern half of the room, with the sky reaching down to clasp the outstretched hand of the sea. A pool of clear water takes up the western third of the room.
Standing before the painting are two lizardfolk, one with bright red scales and an impressive frill around his neck and the other with muted brown scales. The red-scaled one wears a necklace decorated with dozens of fangs, teeth and scales and bears the scars of dozens of battles on his pale, scaled belly. The brown-scaled lizardfolk has elaborate tribal markings painted on their belly. Both of them are exceptionally fit, with the brown-scaled one having wider hips and thighs than their red-scaled counterpart.
"Warmblood visitors." The red-scaled warchief says, his voice a baritone, growling rasp. "You have come at a difficult time for the Lake Claws. I am Chief Vuhazk, and this--" He puts a hand on the brown-scaled lizardfolk's shoulder. "--is my mate, Lorekeeper Ucutzi."
Saersha looked around the caves as they were lead to the warchief for the meeting. It was surprising how many different colors of scales the lizardfolk had and their jewelry, while crude by most standards, was still well made. She felt the eyes on their party as they were escorted but Saersha did not let that bother her. She kept her hands folded against her dress at her stomach and continued to follow their guides. When they approached the shire to Gozreh Saersha could tell the Lake Claws had put their best efforts into it. She didn't know much about Groetus, nor any god really, but it seemed an appropriate design from what she knew of him.
As they reached their destination Saersha saw the two lizardmen who must be the leaders of this clan. The one had larger frills and brilliant red scales and wore a necklace that must continues bits from his various kills as warchief and many scars to show that he earned every one of those trophies the hard way. The second one, brown and with elaborate tribal markings seemed smaller and when the warchief introduced himself and his mate Saersha assumed the brown one was and that maybe the frills helped to denote gender among them.
Saersha gave a graceful curtsy and said, "It is an honor to be granted a meeting with you Chief Vuhazk. I am Saersha and these are my companions. She gestured at each and gave their name in turn then focused once more on the warchief. Chief Vuhazk, Lorekeeper Ucutzi, we have come because we are trying to reach the ruins of the Lady's Light and the Green Witch Maroux told us you were the most reasonable clan in the area who controls caves that lead to the ruins. We had hoped to barter with you for access to the ruins."
Chief Vuhazk blinks at Saersha. "You seek entrance to the source of the mists--to taboo territory. The best of the tribe's hunters who ranged into that place never returned."
The warchief starts to slowly pace back and forth. "You are not the first warmbloods to approach us for passage there. The Grey-Scaled ones sought to use our tunnels to reach it--and we refused them, for their protection as for our own."
Lorekeeper Ucutzi steps forward. "But that did not stop them. They approached the Sun-Eater tribe--our oldest rivals in these lands. A fortnight after the Grey-Scaled ones left, the mists emerged--and the Sun-Eaters began to strike against us."
The warchief and lorekeeper exchange a look before turning back to the party.
"Perhaps an arrangement can be reached?"
Saersha listened to what the two leaders had to say and it only really added a little information they didn't know. Ultimately, it seemed, that the warchief needed something from them, which Saersha fully expected, and when he asked if a arrangement could be made Saersha nodded and said, "Of course, we wouldn't want something for nothing after all. Please, tell us what is it that you would like in exchange?"
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Ryn shares a look with Azura at the new information. Whatever the Grey Maidens were up to was responsible for releasing the mist. At this point they were likely to find out what other effects this place had on people when they found whatever was left of them.
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Grey-scaled warmbloods, how does that-ohhhhh...
Chief Vuhazk nods. "The Lake Claws have suffered several raids by the Sun-Eaters. We would retaliate, but the mist..."
He sighs and shakes his head. "...it inflames our hunters' blood. Drives them to madness and illness. Without them, we cannot hunt for the prey we need to survive--and every hunter who dares the mist becomes a burden, even if they bring home many kills."
The sailback-less guard stares right at Saersha's backside before glancing up and catching the warchief's eye. He looks down in what looks like embarrassment as Chief Vuhazk shoots him a glare. "And, as Arthak shows, it lingers even in those who recover."
Lorekeeper Ucutzi clears her throat. "I do what I can to heal them with the favour of Gozreh, but I fear that it will not be enough. The Sun-Eaters must be driven off if we are to survive."
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With the Lorekeeper's request Zev's gaze furtively shifts to Saersha for signs of disappointment.
Azura nods sagely. It seems that it was a good thing that the mist wasn't affecting the party. Yet. It could be difficult to pursue the Sihedron shard if the group wound up spending too much time otherwise occupied. More so than usual, anyway. Who knows? Maybe Saersha wanted to generously "help" the lizard-warrior with his "problem."
Placing a hand on Ryn's powerful bicep, she nods in agreement and waits for Saersha to make her decision about the group's involvement.
Saersha smiled slightly in amusement at Arthak's staring and guilty look but it didn't bother her. She considered the request being made of them thoughtfully for a moment and looked to her companions a moment. Getting involved in another's fight was not something they had the time for, not if they wanted to reach what was rightfully her's...er what they were searching for, but they needed access as well. It was a tricky situation for them to be in.
As she thought it through Saersha's pondering look showed her mental gears were turning quickly. After a moment or two she looked up at Chief Vuhazk and said, "So, you either want us to do something about them for you," she hesitated a moment and then continued, "or show you how we are protecting ourselves to see if it will work for you." Her gaze moved between the Chief and his mate and she then asked, "Are you any good with creating magical items Lorekeeper Ucutzi? If so I can show you how I made the protections we all use." She directed a stern gaze at the Lorekeeper and continued, "If you have the skill though I can teach you what I did and between us, and anyone else capable of doing the work you might have, we could create similar talismans to what I did for my friends that help keep the mists at bay." Saersha hesitated a moment and then continued, "I can't promise they are fool proof, but they provide some resistance and should be sufficient to ward your forces if they don't stay out too long."
Saersha paused to let the Lorekeeper think over the offer and then continued, "If you don't have the skills to make the talismans then we can deal with these Sun Eaters for you but I suspect you would prefer to deal with them yourselves."
The two lizardfolk leaders exchange a look before turning back to Saersha. "You have knowledge of how to repel the mist as well?"
"Yes, this would be an acceptable exchange." Lorekeeper Ucutzi nods.
"Would any of you have restorative magics as well?" Chief Vuhazk asks.
"Do you mean treating injuries, or dealing with poisons and curses?" pipes up Azura. "I can aid with the former. Our shaman might be able to help with the latter." She indicates Ada.
"We can treat injuries well enough. What we need are magics that can heal both mind and body." Lorekeeper Ucutzi replies.
Saersha was quite pleased with their acceptance of her offer but when it came to talk of healing magics she was at a loss. Healing wasn't really her thing, after all, so she could be excused. She nodded to the two leaders and said, "Yes, I do," she smiled and then continued, "and I will be pleased to share my knowledge with you."
Ada steps forward, "I would be most honored to help you. I can only try to restore one person today. I would need to rest and pray for the spells from my deity tomorrow. We had an encounter earlier today that used up some of my magic."
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As she watches the exchange, Ryn rests her hand atop Azura's for a moment, giving it a gentle squeeze, silently taking stock of the interactions and non-verbal cues of the lizardfolk. Diplomacy wasn't really her strength, but she was determined to make sure that they all made it through this safely.
Chief Vuhazk nods at Saersha. "Then we have a deal."
Lorekeeper Ucutzi approaches Ada. "Follow me, shaman. Those who ail lie this way."
Ulfr motions Zev along with Ada. He stays with Ryn and the rest. He seems perfectly at ease, but those who know him will note a tension in his shoulders that belies his readiness to spring into action (or song) if things go south.
Zev contently follows along with Ada, curious about the situation, and if he could be of any help.
Ada nods and follows the lizardmen to the ill lizardfolk. "I will do my best to help your people."
”She’s a great healer,” Zev adds.
Saersha was quite pleased that her offer had been accepted, "Then we have an agreement," she said. She watched as Ada was led off to help those who needed restorations cast and then turned her gaze to the chief and asked, "Is there some place we can rest Chief Vuhazk? I will be ready to help your Lorekeeper in making the protective talismans when she is but until she is available we might as well rest while we can."
Chief Vuhazk gestures to the surrounding shrine. "You may rest here, so long as you take care not to deface the sacred mural."
Arthak's tail flicks about, his eyes looking Saersha up and down.
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Lorekeeper Ucutzi leads Ada and the others down a side tunnel lined with glowing blue mushrooms. The sound of pained hissing and growling fills the air, growing in intensity the closer the group gets.
The entrance to the 'sick room' is flanked by a pair of hard-eyed lizardfolk with deep red scales, each bearing a sharpened spear--but curiously, they're directing their attention inside the cave. They hiss something in Draconic to an agitated, pacing lizardfolk with mottled blue-and-yellow scales and a frilled collar.
Ucutzi lets out a sigh. "Another case--the most recent one. He claims to not be sick and that he is fit to hunt, but we cannot take any risks." She waves the two guards aside and leads the party in.
The mottled lizardfolk takes one look at the entering party and slinks back into a corner of the cavern, his eyes darting about before fixating on a point on the wall. Two other lizardfolk are present in the cavern, one sea-blue coloured and the other a dark brown, eying up the trio equally as they approach.
"These two are most in the need of treatment. I have exhausted Gozreh's favour for the day treating the rest." Ucutzi waves a scaled hand at the two seated lizardfolk.
Saersha gave a respectful curtsy to Chief Vuhazk and said, "My thanks Chieftain," Saersha noted Arthak's continued gaze and knew it was likely only caused by the mist's effects. Knowing this did not lessen her interest in the lizardfolk. She'd largely only been with humans or more humanoid species like elves, half-elves, a dhampir once, and even a few dwarves, but she'd never had the opportunity to venture into less human looking waters and she found herself more than tempted. She gave the guard a wink before turning away and approaching Embyr.
Saersha grabbed Embyr's hand and pulled her a short distance away from the others before she began to speak privately with her maid.
Saersha led Embyr back over to the group and said, "I have a certain curiosity to go satisfy. I'll be back soon." She went to where Azura and Ryn were, with Embyr at her side, and said, "I leave Embyr in your care for now Azura," she looked to Embyr, "Help her out as needed My Pet"
With that accomplished Saersha turned her gaze to the guard Arthak and began to walk in his direction. She let her hips swish enticingly, or at least in a manner enticingly to humans, and when she reached him gave him her most dazzling smile. "You're Arthak aren't you? I've noticed you watching me, is there something that you wanted?"
Azura nods to Saersha and then turns to Embyr. "We can go help the healers or wait up here so that we're nearby for Saersha," she says to the rogue-turned-lady's-maid. "I think Ada and Zev will probably be able to handle helping the afflicted without too much trouble, perhaps with Ulfr to hold down anyone who's mind-addled and aggressive while Ada cures what ails them... we could get started on unpacking and making things a little more comfortable for everyone to sleep later tonight. And we'll have to figure out what we want to do about food; I don't know if cooking indoors like this is such a good idea, as smoke could get trapped in the caves unless there's a place with better airflow."
"Given that we weren't all that sure how swampy the terrain we had to travel through would be, I did make sure we have enough rations to go a few days without needing a fire, if it came to it." Ryn mentions in response, "Definitely won't be a manor meal, but we'll live.
Embyr settles in next to Azura and Ryn. "So, what do you need me to do first?"
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Arthak's tongue flicks out several times as you approach.
"You have... come from the human city to the North, yes?" He says in a growling rasp. "I have heard little of it, save for what few passers-by are willing to share. What is it like?"
Saersha hadn't quite expected that answer but it was certainly an interesting start. She considered his question and then said, "Well, it is big, very big compared to your village, big enough that it takes several hours to walk from one side to the other even if the streets aren't crowded. It is also full of people, thousands of them, and not all are humans. There are dwarves, hal-elves, halflings, gnomes, even a few kitsune and tieflings walk openly there." She began to go into as much detail as Arthak wanted to hear about Magnimar giving as much description as he asked for.