"I like a solution that dose not require fighting an innocent bird."
Nothus wonders, "Couldn't we just pull a feather from its nest when it goes out to hunt? Seems simpler than potentially enraging it."
"Who is our sneakiest person?"
Nothus shrugs, "I learned to move pretty quietly in the forest.. Spent more time hunting and fighting than learning to calm animals."
I do like the idea of a peaceful answer that does not involve the death of us or the bird. I would suggest that we try talking to it first, then charming it for a feather and finally sneaking in for it. Hopefully, one of those options works before we have to resort to more extreme measures.
Neltji will cast guidance on the trackers and explorers periodically to try to help from getting lost.
"I will inspire competences where I can to boost the chance of success."
Shortly after you set out, the sky darkens and it begins to rain heavily. As per Nkechi’s description, Gozreh’s Crest sits at the very edge of the peninsula, an ominously scarred chunk of dark granite worn into a steep, wave-like shape by centuries of wind and rain. Its face catches the ocean, creating a natural wind tunnel that amplifies the wind and creates howling updrafts. These updrafts have become the favored spot of larger seabirds, which ride them high into the sky, where they hover above the sea watching for fish.
Even without the wind, the promontory is a difficult climb. The smooth, wind-beaten eastern face is impossible to ascend. Only the western face is jagged enough to allow for solid footing . The storm bird’s nest sits almost at the top of the crest, about 500 feet above sea level, overlooking the water.
Ndombe takes a look and wants to know what weather will actually be coming in the next 48 hours.
Ndombe will take a minute to cast read weather before anyone starts the climb.
Ndombe feels that the weather will clear up in the next few minutes and then will be clear for the rest of the day and then turn bad again after midnight.
After sampling the wind and the air, Ndombe announces."The Sky Father decrees that we will have good weather for today, but tomorrow morning will be bad. Again, it will be nice tomorrow afternoon. I suggest whoever is going, that they go now while weather is good."
I can speak the tongues of the elements if we need to. However I would have to commune with Anthony to know if I am capable of such castings as to summon them. However that is an option to have one of them fetch a feather for us.
"It attacks your opponents to the best of its ability. If you can communicate with the creature, you can direct it not to attack, to attack particular enemies, or to perform other actions."
If we need to I can lend you my headband as it allows me to speak with elementals. The only downside is I will not have the ability to commune with Anthony as well.
Head band of int with linguistics if you want to use it that way.[/ooc]
Wearing the headband, Nothus summons a lightning elemental, ordering it to distract any stormbirds it might see and to lead them away from the cliff and nest.
He then summons an air elemental and orders it to go to the nest and return with a complete feather.
Unfortunately for the lightning elemental, the bird is home and a vicious but short battle ensues. Luckily the air elemental steals the feather.
As you are about to leave, four Ijo Warriors appear. The lead warrior says, Why have you come onto our sacred land and why do you kill our sacred bird?
They look very unhappy.
"We did not kill the bird. We simply used lightning one of Gozerh's gift to direct it. The elemental after encountering the bird simply returns home.we simply took a a molten feather."
Neltji bows her head at the arrival of the 4 warriors. Please forgive us for being on your land. We were not informed of this. We were tasked with retrieving a fully intact feather from the mighty bird. To honor such a creature we all decided that it would be better to try and obtain a discarded feather from its nest rather than to kill it. Most of us here have an affinity to animals and nature. I am sure that you will see your sacred bird flying alive and well soon.
diplomacy aid
know local on Ijo people? looking for beliefs/religion if possible
"What my friend says is true we took every opportunity and pooled our knowledge and magic to make sure that the sacred bird would be unharmed. Though we offer around apologies for any offense."
Ndombe shakes his head, knowing that he is not the diplomatic type, and his help in calming this down is not needed.
They fish the bay and sell much of their catch in Eleder. Some Ijo live near Gozreh's Crest to the north of Eleder, a site revered for holding the nest of a stormbird.
They prefer to dress in little more than loincloths, but those who visit Eleder regularly may supplement this by wearing banana-leaf cloaks in order to avoid causing embarrassment to "civilised" onlookers.
The pirates of the Ombo tribe frequently prey on the Ijo, and they also clash with the Bay's sahuagin population.
They look skeptically at you all until a disturbing shriek comes from the nest. While they are relieved that the great stormbird is unharmed, the disturbing sheik makes them unhappy.
The leader speaks. At any rate you can not come to our land and take. You must prove yourselves worthy. Your bravest warrior must wrestle our bravest warrior. If your warrior pins our warrior then you may leave with the feather. If our warrior pins your warrior, you leave without the feather. If you refuse this challenge, you must leave without the feather. What say you?
Nothus sighs, "I say I have no desire to spill blood over this, and would want to know if we could return to try again if we fail."
Neltji looks to the men of the group for someone to step up and accept the challenge. While it may seem daunting they were on the Ijo's land and would need to respect the tribal laws if there were ever going to be able to explore the jungle. Nothus, Ndombe are you up for the challenge? We are on their land and must abide by their culture in this matter. I believe that one of you with Cevill encouraging you on will succeed!
"I say I have no desire to spill blood over this, and would want to know if we could return to try again if we fail."
If you fail, then the gods do not favor you so why would you return. Of course if the great Stormbird agrees to let you leave with her feather, no contest is needed.
Nothus nods, "In terms of raw strength, I am the strongest of us, I believe."
Cevill looks at his noodle arms and nods in agreement.
Ndombe nods, "you will represent us well."
Neltji perks up at the idea of the storm bird granting permission. How exactly do we get permission from the sacred storm bird? Does it come down to talk to you and if so what language does it speak?
She will also get her headband back post haste if she hadn’t already.
The leader scoffs, The sacred Stormbird does not come to you, you go to the Stormbird! And it speaks auran for us mere mortals.
In the meantime one of the warriors starts flexing his impressive muscles. The other warriors start shouting
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"Nothus, good news! Their champion is called Pushover."
"Ummm...you can do it."
Nothus says, "That doesn't quite seem believable....", then says, "Then let us resolve this peacefully and speak to the bird. We wish it no harm, and literally took only something it had cast off."
He pauses, then says, "If nothing else, a delay lets us each get into the right mindset to our test of strength."
The leader shrugs. It is up to you, but it does not sound like the great storm bird is very happy with you. Sammi will go and confirm what the storm bird decides.
The youngest of the warriors step forward, and although he seems young, he has an aura of prowess about him.
'Pushover' will prepare himself by conducting hand combat maneuvers on a nearby tree. Bark begins to fly in all directions.
With the "Rocky" theme going in his head, Ndombe will work to psyche Nothus up...
"You've got this, that tree died two years ago, and the bark was barely hanging on it. Pay no attention." Some splashes of water in his face, and some slippery face wax on his cheeks, and Nothus should be good to go!
Neltji hears that one of the Ijo are going to talk with the storm bird. I will join you as I would love to listen to and see this majestic sacred bird of yours. As I said earlier, many of us are sympathetic to nature and are in awe of all of nature's creations. I just ask that you take it slow as I am not the most skilled in the wilderness.
Sammi leads Neltji up to the nest of the great Storm Bird. When you reach the nest, Sammi bows reverently and says in auran:
Sammi and the Storm Bird both turn and regard Neltji. You see a burn on the Storm Bird's body where the lightning elemental got in a hit before its demise.
The Storm Bird looks angry!
Pushover then begins to perform leaps, flips and other forms of dexterity with ease.
Neltji likewise bows before the mighty Storm Bird. Reverend Stormbird. My name is Neltji and I wanted to meet with you. I was unable to climb the sheer cliffs earlier, yet Sammi here has brought me to you. I am sorry for your injury and with your permission I would like to heal you. Will you let me approach to do so?
know nature is this an animal that charm animal would work on?
"What sort of silly warmups are those? That Pushover is such a newcomer to fighting, it is obvious. Nothus, try and go easy on him."
Nelti sees that Chirok's nest is is easily 8 feet in diameter, woven from driftwood, seaweed, and other flotsam. Five melon-sized, pale bluish yellow eggs sit within the nest.
Pushup starts juggling three daggers with his eyes closed!
"Neltji, should I come up and talk to the storm bird on you be half? I can come up." Cevill yells up.