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"What does it mean when you dream about incestuous imbecile Dreamtigers? Is it good or bad?"
Fin listens with interest to Quasit’s dream; struggling with his nightmares, he had wondered what his friends might dream about. When she’s finished, he shrugs, completely baffled. ”No idea, Q…sounds…odd…not to mention a little terrifying. We Elves have always assigned great meanings to dreams; there were those among us who claimed they could read dreams. I wish I had that skill…sadly, I do not…”
Pondering over the images in Quasit’s dream as he walks towards the mess hall for breakfast, Fin thinks, Maybe my nightmares aren’t so bad after all…not hard to figure out, any way…
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”No idea, Q…sounds…odd…not to mention a little terrifying. We Elves have always assigned great meanings to dreams…”
"Oh, me too. I mean, why else would we have them? I'm a firm believer that Desna speaks to us that way. It's her way of giving us a chance to change our odds at the table, as it were. Otherwise luck is just cold and random -- and why would a butterfly goddess be cold and random? It doesn't fit. I mean, that's just science."
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”Aye…but, in my dreams, I have a hard time telling if Erastil is trying to send me a message or if my mind is just…messing…with me…”
Quasit chuckles. "My mother would have been happy to tell you exactly what your dream meant, and she would have sold you some beads and herbal tea to protect you from nightmares." She shakes her head and shrugs. "I guess I shouldn't sneer too much. Her gypsy grifting did more to put food in our pot than anything her lazy minstrel boyfriend ever managed."
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Quasit chuckles. "My mother would have been happy to tell you exactly what your dream meant, and she would have sold you some beads and herbal tea to protect you from nightmares." She shakes her head and shrugs. "I guess I shouldn't sneer too much. Her gypsy grifting did more to put food in our pot than anything her lazy minstrel boyfriend ever managed."
Fin breaks into a wry grin. ”Your mother would’ve made some gold off of me then…especially from the herbal tea…she didn’t give you her recipe, by chance, did she?”
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As Fin's wakeup call, Sakitu wakes from a fitful sleep. Despite the restlessness, she does seem rested. Maybe baring her soul, however unintentionally it happened, to Quasit put her more at ease than she expected.
She sits up slowly and catches the last half of Quasit's narration and the small discussion between Quasit and Fin. For herself, she didn't know what to think about dreams. Her mom and dad were split on it. Her dad believed that dreams were messages from the spirit world but her mom was much more practical. If the dream was good, it was because of something happy that had happened the previous day. If the dream was bad, maybe a bit of bad food.
She gathers her outer clothes and scoots off to a private area to get dressed and finish her other morning preparations. When done, she follows the others to breakfast. At the table, she finds a spot to sit across from Fin. Not directly across, but one seat to the side. Between bites of food she steals glances at his face. Talking to him is going to be tough but Quasit is right, she's going to have to.
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"Recipe? She bought the stuff in bulk from an old dwarf peddler. I think it was mostly dried dandelion leaves. Blech."
”Dandelion leaves? Not sure if they have those here…I’ll give it a shot when we make it back to Golarion…can’t hurt to try…and I’ll try just about anything to rid myself of these…visions…”
At the table, she finds a spot to sit across from Fin. Not directly across, but one seat to the side. Between bites of food she steals glances at his face.
As Sakitu sits down at the table and glances at him, Fin breaks into a warm smile. ”G’morning, hlao-roo…how’d you sleep?”
Selena has her head on the table, snoozing. Winter seems to trying to decide whether to spill a cup in her direction.
"Dreams are full of symbols and symbols don't have the exact same meanings for any two people. I would have to know you better to know what your dream means. Also, I would need to know what a 'lion' and a 'mouse' were," Kalchine comments on the dream discussion.
"My master looked much like you," Kalchine says, pointing to Fin. "Though her skin was brown and not tan and she was a she. She said that she came from one world and was trying to travel to another through a magic gate but ended up here by accident."
"I believed her since she said she was travelling to a jungle world. We don't really have jungles in winter but I have read of them and she was certainly dressed for that kind of environment rather than the one we have here. I suspect, if she did not have the connection to nature that she did, she would have died of exposure before anyone found her."
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Fin nods as he listens to Kalchine. ”Ah, she must’ve been one of the Mualijae! There were three nations of Elves who dwelled in the vast Mwangi Expanse…also known as the Forbidden Jungle on our world. All three tribes were much darker skinned than I…
“When I was much younger and living in the deserts of Osirion, my father and I had some excursions into the northern Mwangi, and met some of the Alijae Elves…but your teacher could’ve been from any of the three. And I suspect you are right; all of the Mualijae are skilled in surviving harsh conditions…”
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"She said that she came from one world and was trying to travel to another through a magic gate but ended up here by accident."
"Oh wow. Sorta like us, in a way. I mean, the Murder Hut knew where it was going when it came here, but we had no clue where it was taking us. And it sounds like your trainer wasn't Baba Yaga, fortunately, not that she would have been the type to stop and give language lessons anyway."
"I believed her since she said she was travelling to a jungle world. We don't really have jungles in winter but I have read of them and she was certainly dressed for that kind of environment rather than the one we have here. I suspect, if she did not have the connection to nature that she did, she would have died of exposure before anyone found her."
"It sounds like she was from somewhere in Garund. Maybe the Mwangi expanse. They have elves down there, don't they Fin? I know there's a big magic academy of some sort there -- I can't remember the name. Nevar mentioned it a few times, and there was a lecture about it at the Pathfinder hall."
"Gee, a jungle planet. Can you imagine? I hope she found it. I've never actually seen a real jungle either. From what I've heard they're hot and everything is alive and bites you. Beaches are more my speed."
"Kalchine, you're fascinating. I could talk to you all day. Where's your partner at? Not a morning person?"
She looks like she really wants to touch his ear. Or maybe his eyebrow.
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"Dreams are full of symbols and symbols don't have the exact same meanings for any two people. I would have to know you better to know what your dream means. Also, I would need to know what a 'lion' and a 'mouse' were,"
"A lion is a large jungle cat, a little bigger than a full grown man, with razor sharp claws and tremendously sharp teeth specialized for tearing flesh. A mouse is not." says Tezuzu as plops down at the table with a big steaming bowl of some sort of porridge.
"My dear Quasit, your dream is perfectly simple to interpret. Anytime you dream about being in a large familiar house, it's simply a symbolic representation of your mind. Passing into a basement reflects the deeper levels of your consciousness, parts you may not always be aware of. The underground river is another symbolic element suggesting deep emotions or memories. You drift about and find a room full of empty shelves and tables that reminds you of a library, but the lack of books suggests that the facts and learning of your everyday life are not useful.
"And the room full of incestuous Dreamtigers? Why clearly they represent something that's been locked up and hidden away within the walls of your mind, stewing and festering, like an abscess. The mouse went into the wall and broke it down -- that's why it was the same color as the cats - it represented a sort of key that set them loose. I'd guess they represent some guilty memories or feelings that have recently broken loose. They're threatening, which is why you see them as predators. And yet confronting them doesn't frighten you, even as they nuzzle in for a first bite. I suspect that's mostly because at the shock of seeing them, your mind immediately decided it was time to escape and wake you up. Or perhaps there was some relief at seeing those tigers finally freed from behind the barren walls."
"Perhaps I could interest you in some beads? Or some herbal tea? As a protection from future bad dreams?"
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"She never spoke much about her history. What I've told you is what I gleaned after years of talking to her, but what you say makes sense," he replies to Fin.
"I hope so, too. She left a few years ago. She said that she was going out to look for another gateway to try to get home or to where she was going in the first place.
He grows quiet and pushes some food around on his plate for a moment. "But I think she was just disappointed in us," he says, quietly.
He firmly perks up. "Oh, Chest Thumper sleeps outside or in the stables. He doesn't actually like coming in here. Too cramped, these days. It's not like when he was a child and was smaller than me. Then, you couldn't keep him out of the place. He'll find us when we go outside or if he gets bored."
His brow furrows and his ears flick and twitch as he notes the way Quasit looks at him. He quickly brushes his eyebrow and ear as though dusting them off.
"What? Is there something on me?" he leans toward her so that she can pick whatever it is off.
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"But I think she was just disappointed in us," he says, quietly.
"Yeah, well, she must have been disappointed in our planet too if she left it in the first place. Wizards can afford to be idealists." answers Quasit, shrugging.
His brow furrows and his ears flick and twitch as he notes the way Quasit looks at him. He quickly brushes his eyebrow and ear as though dusting them off.
"What? Is there something on me?" he leans toward her so that she can pick whatever it is off.
"Hmm? OH! Was I...? Oh, um, yeah... you just got a little schmutz here..." She brushes vaguely at his ear. "Sorry. Didn't mean to stare. It's gone."
Quickly changing the subject...
"So, these generals we're going to meet-- anything we should know going in?"
Selena continued to "snooze" but it became clear she wasn't entirely asleep as Winter tried to pounce on her shoulder but instead, with a surprised bark, the fox found herself entangled in a moving scarf, her grey and black fur getting lost under red fabric, except for a bushy tail and a couple paws flailing about.
"Yeah, well, she must have been disappointed in our planet too if she left it in the first place. Wizards can afford to be idealists." answers Quasit, shrugging.
"Yes, I'm sure that was it," Kalchine says quietly and without much certainty.
"Hmm? OH! Was I...? Oh, um, yeah... you just got a little schmutz here..." She brushes vaguely at his ear. "Sorry. Didn't mean to stare. It's gone."
Quickly changing the subject...
"So, these generals we're going to meet-- anything we should know going in?"
His ear flicks a little under her touch then a bit more a few times after her hand has withdrawn. He stares at the appendage for a bit before giving a shake.
He shrugs. "Hard to say. They're all different, of course. They're very focused on the war, though so the more you can convince them that what you want will help with that, the better your chances."
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"Me? Oh. I slept well enough." Sakitu smiles at Fin and tries to not make it look conspicuous. While the others talk about dream interpretations she focuses on her food. Her mind races as she contemplates her conversation that must happen later.
Sensing Sakitu’s uneasiness, he smiles and nods, but does not press…
He shrugs. "Hard to say. They're all different, of course. They're very focused on the war, though so the more you can convince them that what you want will help with that, the better your chances."
Overhearing their conversation, Fin pipes in. ”Speaking of which, we hope you’ll be able to accompany us to the war council. It would be a great boon to have you translate to those of us who cannot speak Draconic…
“We’ve been told the council will be shortly after breakfast, so best we finish up here soon and head to the council chambers…”
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Soon enough your guides inform you it's time to head to the council meeting (and Kalchine is reminded by the fact that these strangers are being reminded about the council meeting). You're led to one of the towers of the central keep, up some stairs into a room that takes up most of this floor of the tower. A large central table is surrounded by various chairs, some sized for ryphorians and other for dragonkin. You recognize Bescaylie and Efrixes, seated at one end with several empty seats next to them.
The rest of those in the room are strangers to the party, but familiar to Kalchine. At the opposite end of the table from Efrixes and Bescaylie sit Commander Pharamol and his gold-scaled dragonkin partner Amerenth. Beside her sits another dragonkin, a white-scaled warrior wearing a considerable amount of jewelry by the name of Calissus, who eyes the strangers coming up the stairs warily. Her bonded rider, Sumira, sits next to her, a spark of excitement in her eyes. She wears armor somehow painted or enameled to be as white as her partner's scales.
Opposite them sits a scarred black dragonkin by the name of Herjan, his muscular arms crossed and the corners of his mouth turned down in a bit of a frown. His partner, a warrior named Zusk, sits next to him, his expression difficult to read. Next to them is another rhyphorian, one whom Kalchine knows well--Jarilne, the leader of the ice seers, the primary divine spellcasters of Spurhorn (other than the druid himself). Old and nearly blind, she doesn't look as the strangers come in, but her ears certainly perk up a bit.
Beside her is a blue-scaled dragonkin by the name of Nevra, the seneschal of Spurhorn. She views the strangers with interest as they enter, looking you up and down curiously. Another dragonkin sits opposite her, a copper-scaled male named Talsune. He seems withdrawn, not responding to the entrance of the party. Last is a rhyporian named Thronull, the leader of the fortress's crossbow contingent.
Commander Pharamol motions for you to take the empty seats. You note as you walk forward that your guides have not followed you into the room.
Once you've all gotten settled, the commander begins to speak. "Efrixes and Bescaylie have told us a little, strangers, but we'd like to hear it from your own mouths. What brings you here to the Skyfire Mandate?"
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Fin looks to Quasit, hiding a smirk, whispering, ”I’ll subtly remind them of how we defeated the enemy patrols while I introduce our imperious leader…”
He rises and bows to Commander Pharamol and then nods to Kalchine to translate. ”Thank you for hearing us, Commander. I am called Findurêl, an Elf from the neighboring planet we call Golarion. I would just like to thank you for your hospitality before introducing our leader, Quasit, who will explain our reason for being here…”
Inclining his head to Thronull, Fin smiles warmly. ”I’d also like to thank you, sir, for the discipline of your crossbowmen in not firing upon us as we approached and landed in Spurhorn, after defeating three Drakeland patrols…
“And with no further ado, our leader, Quasit,” he finishes as retakes his seat.
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Quasit steps forward and bows a little. "Forgive me, I'm a bit nervous here. I'll try and keep this as simple as I can. As my friend Fin says, we are from the planet Golarion. We are on a quest to locate a missing demi-goddess named Baba Yaga, who we believe is held captive somewhere. On our world, winter normally lasts only a few months, and only parts of the world get snowy -- but with Baba Yaga gone, her evil daughter, who is a queen, is using magic to spread eternal winter over our whole world so she can more easily conquer it."
"We are using an artifact of Baba Yaga's to track her down -- it is a magical house that can be made to teleport to particular places, if one has the proper keys. As insurance against betrayal by her daughter, Baba Yaga hid the keys that operate the magic house at various places like a trail of bread crumbs. Our last jump brought us here. Our mission is to find the next set of keys and then continue our search for her."
"We believe one of the keys is here in your stronghold, and the other is in Ivoryglass. So we can't really avoid your fight, it seems. Efrixes and Bescaylie found us, approached us peacefully and honorably, and asked us to come here and help you break your siege. We'd like to help you do that."
"My group has significant combat and magical skills. You can consider us an elite squad that specializes at infiltrating hostile places. If you decide to let us work with you, all we'd want are the keys that will allow us to go to our next stop in our search."
Selena's nobility is on full display here, as she is obviously comfortable with the situation yet she holds a more restrained, serious, and noble air about her much more than normal.
Of course, she just can't help a small scowl when Fin calls Quasit "leader."
Kalchine shows his deference to the commanders of the fort. Perhaps he will have a permanent seat at this table some day. Perhaps he will never want one. In either case, all those who have one have earned the right.
He does what he can to translate, though he is no professional at it.
And, while Selena scowls, his eyebrows raise and his ears flick with surprise at hearing Quasit is the leader. He does not question her abilities but has to admit that some of the other members of the strange group have a more commanding demeanor.
The assembled council listens intently to Quasit. Commander Pharamol is the first to speak when she finishes.
"Depending on what this key is, we might be willing to part with it in return for your help. Just what sort of key do you think we have?"
As soon as the commander stops speaking, Thronull interjects, "And we are supposed to believe this fairy tale? Strangers from another world who just happen to have reason to visit us in the midst of a siege?"
Jarilne smiles, her clouded eyes focused on a point in the air above Sakitu. "Do you have another explanation for so strange a group, Thronull? It is well to be wary, but I think that any explanation for this group would seem fanciful to you given how far they must have traveled."
White-scaled Calissus is next to speak. "They did slay several of the attackers already. I doubt they'd find friends among the Drakelanders after that."
"Which is precisely what the Drakelander general would know if she were to send infiltrators," Herjan growls in response. "If it won her Spurhorn, Malesinder wouldn't hesitate to sacrifice some of her troops."
Efrixes manages to find time here to interject, "They speak truth about the magic house. We saw them exit it."
The Commander nods. "Bescaylie did mention that in her report. Having flown there before myself, I know that magic house was not there before." He turns back to Quasit. "Still, strangers, you must understand our position. While unlikely, your unfamiliarity to us would make you the perfect infiltrators. What reasons do you have to fight with us instead of against us?"
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Just a little hot under the collar but keeping it under wraps, Fin rises and bows curtly. ”Excuse me, Q, if I may interject but a little…
“From what Kalchine has relayed, we are not the first folk on your planet claiming to be off-worlders…in addition, he was courteous enough to heal us from the wounds we received from the Drakelands patrol…he can also confirm, as can Efrixes and Bescaylie since they were present, the wounds were very real and a couple of us were severely hurt…it was not staged…
“As for why we’d fight for you…well Bescaylie and Efrixus, upon seeing us, did not attack but greeted us in a friendly manner; I cannot say the same for the Drakelanders as they attacked us at first sight. There’s also the matter of the keys…but, forgive me, I have said too much and overstepped…Quasit is much more tactful and capable than I…”
As he sits down, he murmurs, ”Sorry, Q…”
Stepping in, Selena makes a comment "Our interests lie elsewhere. Any fighting on our part is a distraction from our goal. We have no reason to fight except in self defense, or in exchange for what we need. Thus whether we fight for or against you depends entirely on which is the easiest and most moral way to aquire the keys we need. Most people in our world would consider making a deal the easiest and most moral way, though whether the same is true of your world, I do not know."
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"I understand your doubts and suspicions. In your position, I'd feel the same way."
"Your doctors and wizards and priests may examine us to see that we're telling the truth about who and what we are. Kalchine will verify that we speak the language of a Golarian visitor you had here some years ago, though fortunately for us, some members of our group speak Draconic, otherwise our first meeting with Efrixes and Bescaylie might have been less fruitful. Additionally we would be willing to show you the magical Hut in more detail, and even take you inside if you wish. It's not going anywhere - we are quite stranded without the next set of keys. In short, we have nothing to hide."
"To be honest, we know little of the circumstances of your war. But we have war on our world as well, and while both sides in a war get their hands dirty and do things they wouldn't normally wish to do, I think my friends and I are comfortable choosing to help you and not your enemy. Your enemy attacked us with evil outsiders as we tried to fly in here -- only evil people would employ such means. Meanwhile your people have been open, generous and just with us, even though we are strangers to you. You fed us, gave us beds, and even let us use your baths, for which Findurel at least will now be your dearest friend." She smiles back at the elf, and gives him a wink.
"Regarding the key we seek. The one here in Spurhorn is a two-headed eagle of some sort. When we mentioned it to Bescaylie yesterday, she seemed familiar with such a thing."
"We could introduce ourselves to you individually and tell you more about ourselves, either here or outside the council. We are also quite willing to go unarmed inside your fortress if that is your wish. You may declare whatever parts of this fortress off-limits to us, if that is your wish. In fact, if you wish to refuse our aid altogether, that can also be an option, though we'd still like to barter for the key in such a scenario. But we'd rather be your friends."
"The bird?" Commander Pharamol seems surprised. "That's a strange request. No sort of key I would have recognized, certainly. But not one I would refuse in return for your help."
"To ask so little in return for risking your lives seems supicious to me," Herjan interjects, scowling.
"I for one would be glad to have support that will not further tax our resources," Nevra replies. "Besides, I'm certain they know the real wealth to be had in this battle will be from the spoils."
"Not as much wealth as if they double-dipped," Herjan argues back.
Jarline turns towards him. "Perhaps you should ask if the eagle is all the strangers want if you so suspect?"
Herjan grumbles under his breath, but turns to the party. "Well?"
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Trying to hide his exasperation, Fin rises and bows curtly to Herjan. ”Q…uh…our leader…is earnest in stating that all we ask in exchange for fighting alongside you is the bird. If you think that it is so little to ask, sir, consider this old Elven saying: One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. That bird may have little value to you but, to us, it’s invaluable; it is one of the keys we require to help us save our world. And I can assure you, we care just as much about our world as you do for yours…”
As Fin retakes his seat, he gives a sheepish look to Quasit, followed by an apologetic shrug…
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Quasit laughs a little at the reaction from the Triaxians.
"I know, I know. It doesn't make an awful lot of sense to us either. The thing isn't even a magical item. But if we're right, it's precisely the item we need to continue our search for the demigoddess. She uses mundane items for keys as a means of hiding them in plain sight -- the items are all distinctive, but otherwise quite useless."
"As for the extent of our requests, it is true that we'd wish to keep any items we might acquire in Ivoryglass, unless there is something in particular you need. All we know we want from there is the second key, but I'd guess that Yrax has some other nice things in his hoard."
"And of course, our true reward will come once we finally find Baba Yaga and free her. We expect her to be grateful."
"Oh, there is one other thing. Your planet is strange to us, and while some of us speak a little Draconic, your other languages are unknown to us, and no doubt there are countless customs and assumptions and idiosyncrasies of your planet that we will not understand. Having one of your people added to our group to help us would be invaluable, and will also have the benefit of providing your people with a representative to witness what happens on our mission. It will also add to the spirit of cooperation if we are directly working together."
"What do you think?" She folds her hands behind her back and looks about the seated generals and alien lords, trying to convey sincerity and resolve.
Kalchine stands. He has little in the way of diplomatic ability. Honestly, he and Chest Thumper spend more time out in the wilds around Spurhorn than they do within the keep.
But, he does have a certain cache with the people of the keep as he has offered healing to most and both he and his companion have a certain capacity for doing violence to their enemies.
[b]"You may doubt their intentions but assuredly you do not doubt mine and I see an opportunity for us to strike deep against our enemies with little risk to us beyond the lives of Chest Thumper and myself."
"To ask so little in return for risking your lives seems supicious to me," Herjan interjects, scowling.
Jarline turns towards him. "Perhaps you should ask if the eagle is all the strangers want if you so suspect?"
Herjan grumbles under his breath, but turns to the party. "Well?"
"Why would we want something? I risk my life for way less all the time!" Maka, who had been doing her best to stay quite, couldn't help but interject. "Besides, I take my offers of friendship seriously. I couldn't just stand by and watch my friends get attacked."
Commander Pharamol sits back. "I am content to make this deal. Will any speak against it?"
His gaze sweeps the assembled group. Herjan grumbles under his breath, but does not speak aloud. Thronull fidgets in his seat. After several seconds of silence, the Commander looks to Kalchine. "You are willing to go with these aliens to translate for and aid them?"
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Tezuzu bursts through the door suddenly.
"There you all are! I got lost in this maze of a fortress again. I've never seen such a confusing layout! What did I miss?"
He notes the Triaxian war council glowering at him, which causes him to adjust his hat and spirit amulets. He starts edging toward an empty seat.
Maka threw her arm about Quasist. "What are you talking about, if we were relying on me we would have had to fight a bunch of people."
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Quasit can't help but smile a little, not being immune to a little honest flattery.
"Yeah, well... and now our reward is that we get to go fight an ancient evil dragon and his huge army in their own fortress. You're welcome." She gives Maka's ponytail a light playful tug.
"Kalchine and the other Triaxians are still talking, but I can't make out what they're saying. Can you understand them?"
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Fin scrunches his eyes, watching the Commander exchange words with Kalchine. ”Hmm…when Kalchine spoke to the council earlier, he spoke something that sounded different from Draconic…maybe they’re speaking Triaxian?” he ask as he looks towards Maka to see if she can understand them…
Turning back towards the Triaxians’ discussion, he ponders out loud, ”I imagine they’re telling him to aid us but stay close and keep an eye on us…at least that’s what I’d say were I in their shoes…”
Kalchine stands again once Tezuzu has taken his seat. He nods, his ears making a loop as he does so. "I am. I believe I can do more for our cause and theirs if I go with them than I can staying here. I have no doubt we are capitalizing on a great opportunity."
The Commander nods at Kalchine and replies in Triaxian, "Yrax will not stop even if we throw back this assault. If you and these strangers can slay him, it will bring a final end to this particular war."
As he speaks, his dragonkin companion stands and gets a map that was leaning against the wall, and spreads it over the table. It fairly clearly depicts Spurhorn and its surroundings. The dragon kin starts getting various tokens from a shelf and placing them around the fortress on the map.
"You saw something of our situation as you came," Commander Pharamol says in Draconic, looking to the party. "General Malesinder has us surrounded on the ground and in the air. But Spurhorn is well-prepared for a siege--better prepared than the Drakelanders, I think. With you breaking through, she will be anxious. We expect an attack to come any day now."
"Given the short time frame, I doubt you have the time to learn how to distinguish our forces from the Drakelanders. As such, Kalchine will remain with you, and I will use you as a mobile reserve. Whenever the attack comes I will message you via magic and direct you to places where the Drakelanders are threatening to break through."
"I have some idea of your capabilities from the reports I've received, but if there is anything you wish to tell me to better direct you where you'll be of most use, now is the time."
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"Given the short time frame, I doubt you have the time to learn how to distinguish our forces from the Drakelanders. As such, Kalchine will remain with you, and I will use you as a mobile reserve. Whenever the attack comes I will message you via magic and direct you to places where the Drakelanders are threatening to break through."
Upon hearing the translation, Fin nods respectfully. ”Aye, Commander, that makes sense…it’s likely the best use of my friends and I…”
"I have some idea of your capabilities from the reports I've received, but if there is anything you wish to tell me to better direct you where you'll be of most use, now is the time."
”Sir, I can give you a quick summary. Maka and I are more skilled at ranged combat, she with fire and me with arrows; she has the added ability to be able to fly naturally and can strike from the air. Bulvi excels in melee while Quasit is very adept at striking foes in the flank, where they’re weakest.”
He gives a quick wink at Sakitu. ”Saki there is a caster, good with both offensive and combat support spells; she once brought down a large dragon on our world. Selena is good with area combat spells and can also provide healing in a pinch. And Tez is versatile with his spells but proficient as healer both in and out of combat…
“We work very well as a team; keeping us together as a mobile reserve is a sound move.”
Yeah, well... and now our reward is that we get to go fight an ancient evil dragon and his huge army in their own fortress. You're welcome." She gives Maka's ponytail a light playful tug.
"You find us the best trouble!" Maka replied with a toothy grin.
aka and I are more skilled at ranged combat, she with fire and me with arrows; she has the added ability to be able to fly naturally and can strike from the air.
Maka started hovering in the air and juggling small balls of fire to accentuate Fin's words.
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Maka started hovering in the air and juggling small balls of fire to accentuate Fin's words.
Fin gives a broad smile. ”As you can see, the Mistress of Fire here can demonstrate far greater than my poor words can describe; while we all have our specialties, Maka’s the best, and most versatile, fighter amongst us…”
The Commander claps his hands once. "Excellent. That will be enough to work off of. Now, here are some areas I suspect will be threatened..."
He points out some features of the fortress--ballistas and fire weapons on the towers, the small block-houses that lead into the underground portion of Spurhorn, and a few other points he expects the assault to focus on. Some of the other council members add a few points, but after a bit they wind down and you are dismissed.
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After being dismissed, Fin looks to Quasit. ”You did it, Q…we get the key without having to be…creative. Looks like we have the rest of the day to kill…
“If there’s nothing else we need to do today, think I’ll walk the parapets and try to get a better view of the enemy camps or patrols…maybe see if I can’t get a glimpse at what else we might face during the assault our friends think is coming soon…perhaps do some target practice. After that, you can find me at either the mess drinking that fermented lichen swill or soaking in the hot baths…”
Fin nods and smiles at his friends, then looks down at the croc, saying, ”C’mon, Izzy,” as he heads up to the parapets…
After being dismissed, Fin looks to Quasit. ”You did it, Q…we get the key without having to be…creative. Looks like we have the rest of the day to kill…
"The mistress of words strikes again!" Maka said with a laugh as she followed the others out of the chamber.
Taking Bulvi by the hand, Maka dragged her lover away from the others. "Come on Bull, you have to check out the training area. They have a spot just for blasting elements at!"