Sensing Ren's presence, Taissa lifted her eyes and found Ren looking in the direction of her and her two male companions.
"Wait, Ren is over there. I'm going to ask him to explain himself."
Motioning for The Seahawk's First Mate to draw closer, Taissa's cool eyes appraised him. Without much ado, Taissa gave voice to her troubles (keeping her voice low for sake of privacy), "I spoke with your Captain, attempting to address the earnings made from the ship sale. I was openly suggesting he and the rest of you get your fair share. John then explained how you boarded our ship, took our goblin, how he questioned Snaga under Vale's scrutiny, gained information and then decided to profit from it without as much as by your leave to us. He said that you would all earn that and more from the Regent for the information regarding the goblin dens. We are allies and civilised folk who understand respect in words and actions. If we had done the same to you, there would have been open bloodshed. Yet, here we are, wondering at the need for such chicanery between friends. Can you explain this?"
Taissa's eyes never faltered from Ren's. Could her mentor and friend have really not foreseen how this action would effect her group? It bordered on many things; and most simply, contempt of courtesy and for their authority/domain over the goblin.
[dice=Sense Motive]1d20+3
Sensing Ren's presence, Taissa lifted her eyes and found Ren looking in the direction of her and her two male companions.
"Wait, Ren is over there. I'm going to ask him to explain himself."
Motioning for The Seahawk's First Mate to draw closer, Taissa's cool eyes appraised him. Without much ado, Taissa gave voice to her troubles (keeping her voice low for sake of privacy), "I spoke with your Captain, attempting to address the earnings made from the ship sale. I was openly suggesting he and the rest of you get your fair share. John then explained how you boarded our ship, took our goblin, how he questioned Snaga under Vale's scrutiny, gained information and then decided to profit from it without as much as by your leave to us. He said that you would all earn that and more from the Regent for the information regarding the goblin dens. We are allies and civilised folk who understand respect in words and actions. If we had done the same to you, there would have been open bloodshed. Yet, here we are, wondering at the need for such chicanery between friends. Can you explain this?"
Taissa's eyes never faltered from Ren's. Could her mentor and friend have really not foreseen how this action would effect her group? It bordered on many things; and most simply, contempt of courtesy and for their authority/domain over the goblin.
[dice=Sense Motive on Ren's answer/reply]1d20+3
[dice=Stealth to keep conversation quiet/discreet]1d20+8
"I spoke with your Captain, attempting to address the earnings made from the ship sale. I was openly suggesting he and the rest of you get your fair share. John then explained how you boarded our ship, took our goblin, how he questioned Snaga under Vale's scrutiny, gained information and then decided to profit from it without as much as by your leave to us.”
Ren looks at Taissa with surprise.
”I do not know why Johnny said that; we did not board your ship without permission, nor would we.”
He glances at the others, but says nothing for a while, then attempts to explain.
”The goblin was released by your captain, that was correct, I thought."
"During the last several days when you worked on repairing The Scorpion we invited him aboard our own ship because Johnny wished to speak to him before allowing him to sail with us.”
”As you know, our priest can be a bit… particular… when it comes to the company he keeps; so we wanted to make sure that the two of them would get along before we set sail. When the goblin had free time, we invited him to our ship to talk to him, that was all.”
”Since the goblin is no longer a prisoner or a slave we honestly did not think that you would mind if he visited with us. None of us expected that we needed a By your leave to question him, or we would have certainly asked you. Indeed – we did not think that inviting the goblin to speak with our captain would be such an issue. After all, it is the prerogative of a captain to know something of the disposition of the folk he sails with or even invites aboard his ship, and Johnny wanted to speak to the goblin before he allowed him to sail with us.”
He looks at you all.
”Do you mean to say that you are all upset that we spoke to the goblin during his “down time” in the past several days, so that we could get to know him?” he asks, somewhat confused by Taissa’s anger.
”If that is the case – that you are upset that we spoke to the goblin during his free time, I apologize,” he says sincerely.
"He said that you would all earn that and more from the Regent for the information regarding the goblin dens. We are allies and civilised folk who understand respect in words and actions. If we had done the same to you, there would have been open bloodshed. Yet, here we are, wondering at the need for such chicanery between friends. Can you explain this?"
Ren regards Taissa thoughtfully.
”Ah,” he says after a moment.
He looks at you, then his eyes flick to Hack and Polux, then he looks at you again.
”I understand.”
He shrugs.
”Very well, when the letter reaches the Lord Regent, any reward or treasure he has to offer will be yours to keep. We will claim none of it; I will speak to Johnny and convince him that you are free to keep whatever reward is offered for what information the goblin has shared.”
He looks like he would say more, but for now he seems uncertain.
”Again, I am sorry if interviewing the goblin and using that information without telling you about it upset you. It was not our intention.”
"Whatever your opinion of us is, I hope at least we can continue to remain friendly," he says.
He bows very formally to you all and leaves you three alone.
"Wait. You cannot leave and report to your Captain without hearing our thoughts on what you have said."
"It's not about the wealth, Ren. I was willingly to give your lot their share of the ship sale, because it was the fair thing to do, that is why I approached John. It's the dealing behind our backs and profiting from our work. We discovered the goblin village, and the insidious plot there, we fought the goblins, worgs, half-orc and serpent alone and wounded, almost dead. We took the goblin and our people healed him. Your people had nothing to do with any of that. We even shared the half-orc's ledger with you. Why should you reap sole reward for doing naught but speaking with the goblin without our knowledge or even inclusion in your plans? We should have been invited and present in that meeting, if we are trusted allies. You compromised our alliance. We did not have to come with you to that isle with the blood rituals nor sail with you to Osirion to destroy the dark relic. We have done so because of our promise to aid you and the good citizens of Beacon. If this partnership between our groups is to proceed in goodwill, then we ask for mutual courtesy and honest dealings. I cannot be friendly with those I distrust -- I don't possess such artifice. I want to be able to trust in my friends. That is what I ask. Think about it and tell the Captain the true reason for our displeasure in this."
She was disappointed that Ren just didn't seem to truly comprehend what he and his people had done. Taissa looked to Polux and Hack to see if they had had something to say on the matter.
Ren will wait to hear what Taissa said.
"We should have been invited and present in that meeting, if we are trusted allies. You compromised our alliance."
He looks at you all thoughtfully.
"Perhaps it would have been better to offer to include you in the discussion with the goblin," he says after a moment.
"To be fair, I honestly did not expect you to be interested in our plans and policies. None of us did."
"You knew, for example, that you had potential valuable resources to call upon when you conducted the initial interview of this goblin. We were able to offer you aid, but you did not request any, nor did you seem interested in asking for any help."
"In fact, though we work together, most of your actions have been fairly independent of our own; we did not know you wished to be more familiar with our decisions and ideas. If we had known that we would have done more to include you in our plans," he says sincerely.
"For example, we had heard that your crew wished to have magical scrolls made. If you had purchased the raw materials for such scrolls, our priest could have made them for you; free of charge. Yet he was not asked."
"Johnny has formidable powers of persuasion; if you had asked him to help you barter in the bazaar, he might have done so to your profit."
"Even now Ella could be crafting you firearms - if you wished them - if you had the raw materials for her, for example."
He shrugs somewhat helplessly.
"There are many ways we could have worked together to help you better; but we did not wish to impose our will upon your own. Even now some of your crew did not wish to head east to Osirion; but surely you remember that by sailing east you would help yourselves by earning your cut of the reward for bringing the priestess home to her family?"
He thinks for a moment, trying to say it another way.
"Men like Johnny have a somewhat - overwhelming - personality sometimes. If he dictates his plans and ideas to people, sometimes they feel compelled to do what he says; almost as if they have no choice in it."
He shakes his head.
"I have noticed when certain men get involved with decisions that their suggestions are often treated as demands... none of us wanted you to feel this way."
"You are free to do what you wish, and travel where you would - be it to Osirion or back to Beacon. We do not want you to feel trapped. If we had told you of our plans, we felt it would make you feel trapped into doing what we wanted to do, and we did not want that. We wanted to give you all space so you could be free to do what you wished to do."
He glances to Polux and Hack.
"I do not know how either of you two feel," he says.
"I hope you understand that we were just trying to give you the space and freedom to make your own decisions; that we did not wish you to feel as if you were under our control or beholden to us. If our desire to give you more independence has caused issues, that was not our intention."
"But I suppose I should not say more on this until I know what you are thinking, first," he adds, looking at you both.
"You speak no sense, for we do not debate autonomy. You were all carousing at the Inn. Your captain was occupied, as I hear it, with his two women. We have our own person to make scrolls for us and thus we did not entertain Vale to do so. Only some of us use firearms, so we did not require Ella's services. John would not have persuaded us to his will, no matter how charming he may seem to appear for we have entered into a bond with the Lord Regent and we are our own people."
Frustrated at the male's unthinking, Taissa swiped at her hair before proceeding. "If you take OUR goblin and use the information he gives to benefit ONLY you, then that is chicanery. That is why we should have been invited to attend the meeting -- for the sake of business proprietary and goodwill between us. Why am I required to tell you this? You have informed me you are a learned male. If you had hoped to gain information from OUR resource, then the proper thing would have been to ask by our leave or include us. It is as simple as that."
Taissa growled low in the back of her throat; her eyes shining intensely blue.
Aye, Ren, it is only right that we be treated equally after the blood we have spilled and those we sent to the mud. I did not want to come to Osirion with your group, but I did so because as a group we decided that it would benefit us. Are you tellin' me we can stop now and head back to Beacon? I am thinkin' that may be best because from what I am seein', you all cannot be trusted. Are you going to change that, or are you gonng to keep double-dealin' us? We need to knbow where we stand without veiled words and confusion - clear and straight.
Hack stands and begins to pace back and forth as he speaks to Ren. He is obviously getting more frustrated by the moment, as he begins to discern the frustration of Taissa.
"If you take OUR goblin and use the information he gives to benefit ONLY you, then that is chicanery. That is why we should have been invited to attend the meeting -- for the sake of business proprietary and goodwill between us. Why am I required to tell you this? You have informed me you are a learned male. If you had hoped to gain information from OUR resource, then the proper thing would have been to ask by our leave or include us. It is as simple as that."
Ren looks at Taissa for a long time, studying her face, listening to her growl and watching the expression in her eyes.
Aye, Ren, it is only right that we be treated equally after the blood we have spilled and those we sent to the mud. I did not want to come to Osirion with your group, but I did so because as a group we decided that it would benefit us. Are you tellin' me we can stop now and head back to Beacon? I am thinkin' that may be best because from what I am seein', you all cannot be trusted. Are you going to change that, or are you gonng to keep double-dealin' us? We need to knbow where we stand without veiled words and confusion - clear and straight.
Ren’s confusion has been replaced by a look of calm neutrality.
The veiled suggestions that he was not learned; that he was engaged in double-dealing and was untrustworthy seems to have cooled his emotions.
Hack stands and begins to pace back and forth as he speaks to Ren. He is obviously getting more frustrated by the moment, as he begins to discern the frustration of Taissa.
Ren’s eyes turn from Taissa’s expression and he watches Hack. He notes that because of her frustration the northman is growing more frustrated as well. He looks back at Taissa at this point, studying her eyes, but he says nothing.
For now he waits for Polux to speak.
The deal is brokered with the fellow for a total of 5,500 GP (the normal selling price being roughly 4,500. This means of the initial crew there are still five members; Hack, Kristin, Polux, Stefan and Taissa. This would normally be an equal split for 1,100 GP a piece.
The extra 1,000 GP should more than make up for the loss for carpentry and other crafting supplies to repair the ship.
Polux, having been silent up to then, decides to add his opinion to the heated conversation – ”Here’s the thing Ren – you and your crew have professed friendship and camaraderie, but I guess we’re on different pages here. I have no issues whatsoever with the fact that you guys spoke with Snaga – heck, as soon as I decided taking him on board, I stopped being his captor” – the man adds matter of fact.
”And it is more than expected that your captain would want to know who the hell he was taking on board – it has nothing to do with that, and not even anything to do with the gold, as Taissa just said” – he seems to ponder his next words – ”What I don’t get is all this roundabout way of doing things – if you thought you should have a share from the sale of The Scorpion, and now that I think of it, I think that you should have, you just say so – you don’t decline it because you already have something else lined up. Because in the end, this means that you think you should have a cut, but since you’ve gotten some other, sweeter deal in mind, you feel that we are even” – he shakes his head – ”And gold wise, I guess we are, but as far as being clear about our intentions, we are not “
Shrugging, he continues – ”I kinda feel you are paying us back or something like that, because we did not ask your help in questioning the goblin..? Come on… Does Vale come to us for advice in anything? This is just business as usual, we captured Snaga, we would speak to him, and share whatever we knew with you all – could you honestly say you expected any differently? The Seahawk’s crew is independent, and so are we” – he then raises an eyebrow – ”Scrolls?! We didn’t ask because we have those capable of doing it… But Taissa has been abundantly clear about that one I guess”
Polux stands up, and finishes – ”Bottom line, from my perspective, you guys thought you should get a parcel of what was obtained in selling The Scorpion, and I agree. But you let it slide because after speaking with Snaga you planned on getting another deal that would more than compensate for what you believe is your loss, and decided you were in the right to keep it to yourselves – the bothering thing has nothing to do with gold, it is simply the fact that you did not even think of sharing the information you got from Snaga with us – because you think we don’t care? Heck, we signed up an official document to defend Beacon, you know that. So if we overlooked it, it would be all the more reason for you guys to have shared the information with us. Doesn't matter how I look at this, I don’t get it”
Polux actually smiles though – ”But guess what - and you may all find this crazy - I’m fine with it. Taissa trusted you, but I am not a trusting person by nature, been through too much crap I guess, so… This is what it is – you guys saw an opportunity to make a good deal, and you took advantage of it. Good for you”
Looking at Taissa and Hack this time, he presses on - "I don't trust them more or less than I did before" - he chuckles - "We were hired to do a job, and in the end we are pursuing this because we think it the best thing to do at the moment, in assisting our main goal towards Beacon, is it not?" - he stares at his companions - "I still think we should see this through, for that same exact reason. Even though I may have found some, I did not come here looking for new friends, I am here to make me some coin, and lend a hand to Beacon. Actually I feel kinda reassured that this happened - as I said, 'It is what it is - business', and now we all know that"
Ren looks at Polux.
”I understand, I think.”
He nods.
”You feel that the method that we conducted ourselves was somewhat discourteous, and more importantly – it was not a way that friends should treat each other?”
”For that I apologize, then.”
He glances at the horizon.
”We shall be in Osirion soon – barring any unforeseen troubles on the sea.”
”But if there is trouble, then we shall fight through it hard and keep true to our course.”
He glances back at you.
”I am sorry again if we did not show you more – respect. For friendship’s sake I will remember to do that in the future, and I will see that the others do that as well,” he says with a bow.
I was not getting notifications from the main thread.
I was not getting notifications from the main thread.
*Nods*
It does seem to do that randomly, from time to time.
I was watching the 'Social RP' thread give notices and was wondering why the main thread had seemingly slowed to a stand-still. Only to then check the main thread and see I'd missed about a day's worth of posting.
I pretty much just look into all the games I'm playing every day now to simply check that things aren't progressing with out a notification appearing on the main page.
Much cheers and best wishes to all.
Polux had been wrong in one thing -- she did not trust readily or well -- yet Ren had shown her a degree of kindness and friendship and she had started to believe in his goodness and their accord. She did not speak this aloud for it was not relevant to the group but something of a personal aside.
This is why she had put forward Polux as captain and leader. He had an ability to separate things into business and personal. She was a beastmistress, out in the world at large caring for her animal companions and not concerning herself with contracts and such ventures. But she was quickly learning, through missteps, what the people world demanded, and it made her feel even more removed from them as ever.
She took a deep breath as she listened to Ren's apology to Polux's words. He had understood Polux, yet not her. She should not have spoken for it changed and aided nothing.
Least Ren had vowed to be more respectful in the future, and would see that John and the others were, as well. She took what was offered and accepted it on its merits alone.
Taissa wondered what this meant for her. And her thoughts made her tongue remain still.
After Ren bowed and departed, Taissa looked up from her position by the wall and finally spoke, softly, "It appears you got through to him, Polux. That is good."
"As soon as we are done in Osirion, no matter their next quest, we return to Beacon. I have no issue with travelling overland." Taissa's low, husky voice sounded resolute.
"I have the same feelings as you guys - I would suggest taking this one step at a time, and roll with it" - Polux nods as Ren moves away - "We have no idea of what we are about to find, if we do find anything at all - but who knows? Maybe we will come across something that we deem important, and needing to be looked into"
Looking back at his two companions, Polux adds - "If we find no immediate threat to Beacon, I would agree in doubling back. By foot if necessary, but on The Seahawk we would probably travel faster Taissa. Otherwise, can we agree on postponing the decision of leaving them until we make sure there is no additional information to be gathered?" - he questions.
Taissa turned her deep blue eyes on Polux. "I have travelled all my life. Yet, I cannot blindly follow another's path again and again in hopes it leads me back to the beginning. If they find something in Osirion which takes them further across the ocean, I do not know if I will follow. If The Seahawk sails in opposite direction, then there is no other way than by foot for we do not possess enough coin at present to purchase a ship of our own. These people have their own purpose and we have ours. As I said, I will wait until the relic is destroyed in Osirion. If we are privy to the information of the Sky Priests, then I will wait to hear it. Then I will carry it back to Beacon, with only my animals by my side, if none will return with me."
Taissa had grown restless on a ship run by another, trapped in such close proximity and it was making her skin itch. She longed to feel the the earth under her feet and her animals free to run by her side. The succession of dark priests they had encountered was annoying and bewildering, too. She started in lands where magic was rare and scarcely practised, to these lands where evil oozed from the pores of corrupted priests.
Spirits, what path do you lead me upon? What are these trials in the lands and oceans of people? Taissa issued a silent plea.
Then lifting her eyes back to Polux, she steadily continued,
"You are leader of this journey, Polux, and I will heed your counsel for patience. But in truth, my patience has never been long."
Ha, ha, ha...truth be told, I am not long on patience either. I am sure that the two of you have noticed as much.
White Fang pokes his head out and looks around.
"I like bacon - will they have bacon in this place?"
"Lots of rabbits to chase is good, too. But no snakes! They are not good!" he adds firmly, schooching around in Taissa's pooch pouch, making himself comfy.
"We should ask the priest girl if they have bacon! And lots of rabbits to chase! Waiting for playing is boring!" he says, his little voice sounding muffled as he yawns under the flap of cloth.
"Ahmm... numm... numm... yawnn..." White Fang mumbles from the blanket.
In the lull that the evening brings, Taissa and the others approach Captain John, who is in the company of Ren, Priest Vale and the Osirion Priestess, Amun-ta.
"Good eve. We would like to hear your plans for when we reach Osirion, since we are to play a part in this pursuit. It would be wise to make plans -- as a unified company -- and hear what your expectations and concerns are."
"But first, the ledger written in Osirion, are the translations all completed, and, if so, what does it say? Since we discovered it on the half-orc priest, it follows suit we should be privy to its contents." Taissa gives a small smile.
Then turning her blue gaze on the Osirion woman, Taissa continues, "Priestess, when we land in your country, will there be opposition regarding our intentions for the accursed relic? Do you suppose there'll be other dark cultists looking to take it back? Who is in opposition to the work of the Sky Priests?"
Taissa played with the pup, watching him give chase to the ball and return it to her feet. White Fang was becoming more graceful on his little legs with all the running about the deck. As before, Taissa noted the goblin's particular attention on the worg pup. Picking up the ball and the pup in her arms, she moved across the deck to Snaga.
"Snaga, I see you are enjoying White Fang's exercise as much as he is." Taissa gives the pup a scratch behind the ear. She looks up to see Daya happily circling over the ship and water. It was good the Roc could stretch her wings and have a moment of freedom, away from the confines of the ship.
"I am curious to know more about you. As you are aware, I'm certain, that I am a beastmistress and possess a kinship with creatures of the wild. I understand the animal spirit deeply; my bond with Daya and White Fang is abiding. But what of you? You appear quite learned- scholarly- and you have a fair hand with weapons. I would know where your true talent lies; what your calling is. What was your position/rank in the goblin den?"
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"Priestess, when we land in your country, will there be opposition regarding our intentions for the accursed relic? Do you suppose there'll be other dark cultists looking to take it back?"
Amun-ta looks at Taissa with a somewhat surprised expression.
”No; I should think not.”
”The people of my homeland places the gods of the Sky as chief in our pantheon. The god of the Sun and the goddess of the Moon; they are of great importance.”
”This foul god – this Apep; he is an enemy to the god of the Sun. He is a foul creature; a demon of the Underworld – the Great Serpent – He Who Speaks with a Forked Tongue…”
”There are no High Places for his followers. Indeed, if any such places were raised they would be smote to the earth by the people… None wish to have those who are his followers rule. They call for blood offerings and seek dominion over folk. They are foul; they are evil,” she says somewhat emphatically.
She thinks a moment.
”If there are other such cultists they may indeed have spies in the land; but they would be very few, for the cult is not great – not powerful; not yet… it is possible that there may be some of them in the city that would observe your presence and seek to cause issue. But in truth, I doubt they would be successful. Even the peasants there would stand united against them, for none wish to see this cult grow in power.”
She glances at Johnny with somewhat knowing eyes and it seems to annoy Kristin a bit. Johnny looks a bit uncomfortable.
”Thy captain has saved me – he has known but a taste of my gratefulness, upon our arrival home I shall give him the chance to drink deeply of it,” she says with a mischievous voice which prompts Kristin to roll her eyes and sigh loudly.
Johnny clears his throat awkwardly.
”Right – well, you wanted to know what the logbook has in it, right? Well, in addition to the notes on certain times when rituals were happening, it also gives details on how to improve the powers of priests and their magics…”
”Here’s the full details,” he says gesturing to Ren, who glances up and slides over a package of papers that he had copied and presented to you.
”Well, anyhow, I hope it’s helpful – but I don’t know how much use you’ll get out of it. The most useful thing it’s got of note is that means that maybe priests got ways of upping their power that’s maybe yet to be discovered,” he says with a shrug.
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"I am curious to know more about you. As you are aware, I'm certain, that I am a beastmistress and possess a kinship with creatures of the wild. I understand the animal spirit deeply; my bond with Daya and White Fang is abiding.”
The goblin looks up at Taissa, his eyes searching the area looking for Polux, uncertain if he is allowed to speak without the permission of his “Chief”. But seeing no sign of discord from his Chief, he shrugs.
”You talk much on him you call White Fang – but I call him Grond, for I see His likeness in the pup,” he says.
He pulls out a small carving he has been working on, and shows it to you. It looks like a small wooden hammer; barely large enough to pound a nail. The flat side of the hammer is not very impressive, but the hooked side is carved in the likeness of a warg that is growling fiercely.
He holds it up proudly.
”Grond!” he says with a fierce smile, and glances toward White Fang with respect.
"But what of you? You appear quite learned- scholarly- and you have a fair hand with weapons. I would know where your true talent lies; what your calling is. What was your position/rank in the goblin den?"
Snaga looks at Taissa somewhat suspiciously, studying her long before he eventually answers.
”I learn many things – I listen mainly… I hear with open ears to the shamans of our tribe. But they are dead.”
”But I remember… I remember what they say – I remember the tales… I hear them speak; I hear their words… they talk long, I listen… that is where I learn…”
”I learn to sail; to track; to fight; to kill… I follow the ways that were taught by our priests… I know their sacred words… I know their ways of power… I live when others die; I learn the lore to survive, and the lore to call on the power of our gods – when I am blooded I can heal… I know the god magics,” he says looking at you intently.
”But now I follow your Chief – what more is there than that?” he says with a soft voice, watching you carefully.
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As he watches you for a while, he says nothing.
”You have the tongue that speaks with beasts; but not through sorcery, but you know the trick of beast talk?”
”The Chief does not know this trick… yet he leads….”
He seems to ponder this for some time.
”In some tribes the Chief is made so with force of strength; yet he is like a heavy ax, a tool to kill and break those that would defy him… yet though he falls on the necks of those who would he hates, he does not always have the cunning to see...”
”Chief has strength; but cunning can be better… those with true cunning know the gods – they know magic and speak to birds and beasts; they hear the voices of the dead…”
”The Chief is strong – are you his Cunning? Do you show him where the ax must fall?” he says, the phrase seeming almost like a ritualistic statement; as if he speaking of a formal title or position in the tribe.
You suspect that he is basically asking if you are the formal “Brains” of the operation while Polux is the “Muscle”. This isn’t a slight on Polux; the brains and muscle are sort of “Separate but equal” roles in the tribe. They’re both very important, but different.
The brains of the operation in a goblin tribe is very often the matriarch of the tribe as the chief female often gives more care and consideration to the offspring and the survival of the young; so a goblin matriarch of power will often direct the more aggressive and violent patriarch of the tribe to have battle and bloodshed, but makes sure the battle and bloodshed is as productive to the survival of the tribe as possible.
He suspects that you may be the person who direct Polux; the person who is thinking and planning ahead while Polux is the one who is more aggressive and pursues combat with more abandon.
Finally, it is assumed that the matriarch often learns ways of magic – sort of like druids might. He thinks you must know some magic or some spells as you can talk to animals. And if not, it still suggests you’re the “Brains” of the operation for some reason; which means your position is now elevated in his eyes.
You notice that at this point Snaga seems to readjust his opinion of you somehow and he looks at you with a grin that would be more pleasant if it didn’t come from the crooked smile of a goblin face.
”You want to know more, eh? Ask, then, witch; I will tell you all you want,” he says sincerely.
"Who is Grond? I see the likeness of a growling worg on your carving but I would hear the story of this creature, so I better know what it means in relation to my pup."
Taissa silently considers all of Snaga's talents and she stares at the creature wholly for a minute before speaking again.
"You are a union of talents. So you are a priest, on some degree, in your own right?"
"My talent lies in animals, spirits and the natural world, Polux's is with people and cities/towns. We complement the other. I am the Alpha female of my pack and he is the Alpha male of the group. We come together well."
Snaga had called her 'witch' and she wondered why he believed her innate ability was one of outward magic -- but perhaps that was what he was used to.
Taking the opportunity to ask bluntly, she spoke, "Is there something special about White Fang that I should know? I believed that he was left to die by the half-orc priest because the pup wasn't considered pure blood -- but tainted by his distinctive white fur. Is this the truth? The half-orc spoke of some child of the Father. The Father was the serpent, the Mother the female worg. Who is the child?"
"It is good to know that we will not face cultists out in the open, though I can't say I understood what the plan is" - Polux pipes in - "I am assuming there will be information gathering to start with, trying to find some lead that will takes us to the followers of this Apep? Capture one maybe, and get some answers?" - Polux shrugs - "Or do you have already another idea in mind, or a definite objective?"
"Restating my companion, Polux's, words, we are attempting to learn what our role is in this relic destruction and what you have already planned. Once we know more, of what will happen and what is expected, then we can make our own plans to aid."
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"Who is Grond? I see the likeness of a growling worg on your carving but I would hear the story of this creature, so I better know what it means in relation to my pup."
Snaga looks at you with a cocked head.
"Ah! You ask of Grond?" he says with a slow grin.
"Grond is the Hammer of my god!" he adds somewhat emphatically.
"Grond is the maul that crushes the wall; He ends the life of them that fight; he steals their breath with strength of Death; his voice is the cry that makes them die... Yess, yess... He is the Hammer of my god."
"The pup makes me think of Grond - not because he is so like him, but because I see my god in all things, even the pup!"
He thinks a moment.
"Perhaps it was luck that caused me to live and the pup to live - perhaps... or perhaps it was the will of my god? Who can say for sure? I give honor to my god by saying it is will that we both lived... Even if I am wrong, I don't care... I choose to do this..." he says.
"You are a union of talents. So you are a priest, on some degree, in your own right?"
He shrugs, seeming a little pleased by your words.
"Aye; I be a priest of sorts. I know the god magic some; I can make heal them that have been blooded, and bring pain to them that stand before my god..."
"I have lived long, but I please my god; so I am able to live long."
"But I am more then just a priest... thief; warrior; barbarian... I have done much to live and stay alive..." he says looking at you.
"Is there something special about White Fang that I should know? I believed that he was left to die by the half-orc priest because the pup wasn't considered pure blood -- but tainted by his distinctive white fur. Is this the truth? The half-orc spoke of some child of the Father. The Father was the serpent, the Mother the female worg. Who is the child?"
Snaga snorts in derision at the mentioning of the half-orc.
"He was fool - and now he is dead. It was meant to be; if he was cunning or strong, he would have lived. How can he be wise that was killed?" he says with contempt for the half-orc.
"Maybe the pup was not to his god's taste; but I say he is strong - and will be stronger still!" he says with assurance about White Fang.
He shakes his head about the half-orc.
"He spoke of the Father - aye; that be him that is the evil god of all snakes... the god who made all snakes in his likeness... to crawl on their belly in the filth... to speak with the forked tongue... to take a thing in its embrace and squeeze them in that embrace to death... not to eat the dead, but to consume them utterly... to take all of them inside oneself until it is fully gorged... to swallow all life; like darkness desires to swallow all light... such is the "Father" that he speaks..."
"His offspring be that big snake that you killed, as are all snakes... but I think we should have open eyes and watch... where his priests make the High Places there will be other snakes like the big one you killed... for his young are the big snakes; but also his young are legion... soon they will grow to swallow the light of the whole world..." he says the last softly, as if he is speaking a prophecy of doom that unnerves even him.
Then he looks up and shrugs.
"But that is the true tale of this Father and his offspring... that half-orc was honoring the snake as it grew in the likeness of his dark god... The big snake was the child of the Father, the Father was the dark god of snakes... but that half-or had no respect for the Hammer... no respect for Grond and his kind," he says, spitting at the memory of the half-orc.
Then he looks up at you and nods, pleased to talk to you.
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Amen-ta looks between Polux and Taissa with surprise, as if she had assumed you all knew the plans already.
”Ah – thou art confused as to our purpose?” she glances at Johnny. He shrugs and speaks to you all.
”Right, well – the thing is… Amen-ta is of a noble house located near the western flank of the capital of Osirion. Her family estates are near the sea; but less than a day's ride from the capital city, hell, we could sail there if we wanted to.”
”Anyhow, the plan is that we sail into the main port directly. From there we dock the ship and she’s going to take us to the proper temple and pretty much explain everything that we’ve done with the damn item we found.”
”After that we drop off the poxing artifact and then collect our reward from the temple. Then we get a chance to spend it, as we want.”
”But before we get too cozy the plan is to tack course to her family estates and let her family know she’s home. At which point the figuring is – seeing as she’s the only child of her father, and he’s rich…” he says a bit awkwardly, as if this proposal seems too mercenary to even him ”Well, when we take his daughter to his estates there’s a good chance he’ll reward us, too.”
”Next morning we take both rewards and hop back to the Merchant’s Quarters – but now we’re not just the lads with a little loot, but kind of sort of hero’s for doing this thing – so we take that goodwill and do some bartering for goods; load up the ship and stab back home,” he says glancing at you both, hoping that explains things.
”Anyhow, like I said before, we could have done this on our own; but it’d have taken us another two or three weeks both ways… This gets us back to Beacon just as Spring comes – hopefully – only now our hull is stuffed with loot.”
Ren looks at Johnny and clears his throat somewhat.
Johnny looks over and his eyes widen, remembering suddenly the rest of the plan.
”Oh yeah! Plus when we’re there picking up supplies and stuff we can maybe do a little recon work for the lads back at Beacon so that when we finally get back home they’ll not only be happy on the gear we’re bringing, but also when we talk to the Regent guy we’ll have even more follow-up news on the hash that’s going on back home, and you gotta figure that’s a pretty sweet set-up, too, right?” he says with an easy grin.
”So basically at this point we could have hired out sailors to help us get there, but why bother, you know? I mean, you guys proved your worth – you’re a good crew; you’re trusty; the padre’s got a good feeling on you; and after all we’ve been through already… hell, if anyone deserves a piece of the Rescue and Save the Day loot for bringing the priestess back, you guys already earned it, you know?” he says looking at you all with complete sincerity.
”Come on – think about it, you know? I mean, here we are – our hulls stuffed with exotic spices and goods from the east… I mean, that’s worth some good seed money back home at the least… Plus, when them back at Beacon want to know what the hell’s going on with regards to all this crap about the dark cults pushing out in Varisia, we’ll have even more information… I mean, hell – what’s not to like?” he says expansively looking at you both with a wide smile.
"That was clear as a whistle, and exactly the information we were expecting to get" - Polux comments - "Thank you for sharing it with us" - he adds - "The logic of it all makes sense in my head, and seems sound as a pound"
After Polux's straightforward reply to the shared information, Taissa simply inclined her head toward the Priestess and added to Captain John, "And now we know the plan. Thank you, Priestess Amun-ta and Captain John."
Taissa had heard and noted Ren's reminder to his Captain. She looked across at him and nodded her head once in acknowledgement.
"The logic... seems sound as a pound"
Johnny glances at Polux.
"Sure thing, skipper," he says with a grin in your direction.
"Hell, things aren't too tricky, once you get the hang of it, savvy?" he says to him with a little grin.
"Thank you, Priestess Amun-ta and Captain John."
"No worries, Red," Johnny says to Taissa and winks at her as Ren returns her nod with a shy smile.
Snaga's explanation of Grond was acceptable and Taissa deemed it fine that he referred to the pup by Grond.
In reference to what Snaga was and how long he had lived and fought, Taissa nodded decisively. "You have adapted to survive, honing your skills and talents. Your god must be pleased, for you still live."
Noting that the goblin had a talent for healing, she put that to memory. Healing meant they would live a little longer.
"The half-orc deserved his death. As did his serpent pet. He was blind and could not see passed the colour of White Fang's fur. He was stupid, indeed. And I am given a boon by the Spirits -- the pup is in my pack."
Taissa smiled for the good fortune that came out of the battle with the half-orc and his den of goblins.