"That's silly. Why would she juggle daggers? He could injure himself just before the big fight, which doesn't use daggers."
Nothus does his best to ignore the fighter, turning to Blackleaf and stroking the cat between the ears, "You'd probably make a better champion than I do," he chuckles.
"Nothus. No one that strong has to showboat that much."
Diplomacy lol Neltji might be dead [ooc]On the flip side the plan was not to attack but just to draw away
In common, Cevill, you might want to talk to this fine creature. I would appreciate your presence and she is quite a sight to behold.
Cevill will find someone and say to them, "Hey there is an important conversation with the stormbird that I should try and help with before the wrestling match. Can you point me in the direction our friends went."
If he gets directions Cevill will run up and provide assistance.
"Nothus. No one that strong has to showboat that much."
Ndombe nods in agreement. "It is the weak tree climbing djobu that puffs itself to thrice its size to scare an opponent, whereas the mighty tangweku declines a fight until cornered, and becomes like the greatest of warriors, to the detriment of its enemy."
Nothus says, "I may need you to hold Blackleaf back. Just in case."
The Storm Bird squawks angrily. You send two creatures to attack my nest and my eggs and now you want to 'heal' me! Tell me why I should not pick you up with my talons and fly high in the sky and drop you little one! Tell me the truth as if your life depends on it - because it does!
Pushover takes several spears and throws then unerringly at several targets.
"Hahaha, what pointless posturing. Pushover must really be concerned!"
Neltji backs away from the storm bird hands up in surrender. In all honesty they were not to attack you. The first was to draw your attention and flee without attacking. The second was to obtain a feather from your nest. It was a task set upon us by Nkechi. I swear upon Anthony it is true. I would have come up here myself to speak with you originally but the cliffs were too hard to climb. It wasn’t until Sammy brought me up a different path that I could get to you.
The reason I want to heal you is because I am ashamed that you were hurt by the elemental. That was not our intentions and I if I may not heal you then what may I do to prove my sincerity?
Diplomacy ?
The Storm Bird listens as Neltji makes her case, but is still angry! Whether they were supposed to attack the nest or not, they still invaded her space and put her eggs at risk.
I will hear out your friend and if your friend does not convince me of your intentions, you will find the trip down the cliff a lot faster than the trip up!
Sammi laughs at the unintended joke and gets a sharp stare from the Storm Bird in response.
-----
Pushover says to Nothus, How about we wrestle in spite of the outcome on top of the cliff. Unless you are chicken of course!
He then dances around Nothus shouting Bwak! Bwak! and flapping his arms.
Ndombe laughs, "It is the weakest djengi that cries the loudest, my mother always said."
Nothus says nothing, but the cat next to him flattens its ears and hisses in response to the anger that the druid is doing his best not to express.
Neltji nods her head resigned to her fate and hopes that Cevill can talk her down from this ledge, literally and figuratively.
Maybe your mother should have told you that the minnow should not insult the shark!
He now includes his circle of dance to encompass both Nothus and Ndombe.
Can Cevill. Make it up to help with negotiations or should he just stay down cheerleading?
Nothus stands and shakes his head, his knuckles turning white where he grips his staff, "You're certainly making me change my mind about not wanting to spill blood," he growls, the cat hissing beside him.
Pushover stops his dance. Who said anything about spilling blood? It is a wrestling match. Whoever pins the other first is the winner. Unless you believe you can only win a fight with weapons? Maybe you do not deserve that feather after all. The gods would not favor someone so weak!
He then starts his chicken dance again and as he passes Nothus he blows him kisses.
Neltji looks down from her vantage and asks the storm bird If I leave Anthony up here will you let me go get Cevill and let him speak with you? I am sure he will speak truly to you so that you may here from another that my words are true.
She extends her hand and lets Anthony run along her arm so the Storm Bird can see for herself whom she is talking about. This is Anthony and is as precious to me as your eggs are to you. Speaking of your egss, is there anything, besides my demise or leaving, that you or your eggs need?
Panting Cevill reaches the top, "Sorry we are having a rough day and making a poor impression. My traveling companion Neltji is honest and truthful. And thus..." Cevill breathes heavily. "You can trust what she has said. We were ask to get a feather and we failed to understand your role and offer you the respect you deserve. That is our fault and we humbly ask your forgiveness. You have a special role here among these people. We also has a special role. Beyond our needs, we are here to help save people. There is a threat to people and to all residence of these islands. The gift of you feather and forgiveness could be an important step to save hundreds of people. Can you please see it in your heart to forgive us, help us, and and be part of the songs we sing about this adventure."
Nothus narrows his eyes, "I did. Said I wanted to avoid it, when I thought you were an honourable sort rather than some sort of puffed-up peacock, and so you were worthy of a sliver of respect. This little display proves otherwise."
The cat at his feet hisses again, though this time Nothus does nothing to calm it, his own voice nearly matching the cat's, "And I'd be more than pleased to show you just how much the gods of nature favour me, if you need such a display. Some of us, it seems, get gifts other than a head filled with rocks."
Pushover stops his dance. You
It is a good thing Cevill showed up when he did because the Great Storm Bird was really considering Neltji down the cliff head first, but after hearing his words, the bird relents. I doubted the sincerity of your friend's words here, but you have shown that they are true. Take the feather and go - and if you ever need another - try asking first!
Cevill bows repeatedly not knowing the right formalities. "Thank you. Sorry for everything. Some times you try you best and still things go a little awry."
Turning to Neltji, "Want to jump off? Looks like the match is ready to start."
Neltji withdraws away from the mighty Storm Bird and places Anthony in a pocket of her cloak. Thank you for listening to him and realizing our words are true. The offer still stands for me to heal you if you would like?
Once that is taken care of Neltji will descend with Cevill. Uh let’s just take the easier path that we used in the way up. I am not one for flying without a means of landing safely. I agree though that we should hurry before the match is over.
"I should have clarified I can cast feather fall. But walking is fine if you want to forgo free drama."
When Neltji, Cevill, Sammi and Juto return, Sammi and Juto will confirm to the leader that the Mighty Storm Bird has agreed that the group should keep the feather.
As the Mighty Storm Bird has agreed for you to keep the feather, who are we to contradict her. You may go in peace. There is no need for the contest.
'Pushover' looks disappointed. He says to Nothus, I'll still dance with you unless you are too much of a coward!
”It is rare for a tribesman to use such respectful language towards their opponents as Pushover has done. It would now be appropriate for you to similarly compliment his obvious martial prowess.”
Neltji watches the pacing of 'Pushover' and his offer to still engage in the ritual fight. I think it would be good for one of you to still participate. It will foster good will and may be the beginning of a friendship between whomever participates. Of course she has no idea of the conversations and threats that occurred prior.
You return to present your tribute to Nkechi. With great skepticism, he accepts your offerings but asks you all to wait while he inspects them for authenticity. He retreats into his hermitage for about half an hour, leaving you all at his doorstep. Eventually, Nkechi returns with a smile. He invites you all inside his abode, and asks you all to sit in a circular pattern on his floor about a large clay brazier filled with herbs. Nkechi picks up a wooden mortar filled with reddish paste, and proceeds to draw mystic symbols on each of your faces with the paste as he walks around the circle chanting esoteric words.
Cevill sit quietly as the ceremony proceeds trying to mimic and feign and necessary customs expected of him.
Neltji will watch and closely inspect the herbs that she can identify along with any runes or symbols that are placed upon them for nefarious means. The whole time she will also analyze the ritual for possible divine implications. As Nkechi speaks she tries to understand the language he is using for future reference.
Know nature
Know arcana
Know religion
Spellcraft
Linguistics
Nkechi notices Cevil 'faking it' and Neltji trying to understand what is going on, he says If you do not willingly go on the journey, it will not work!
When finished with the ceremony, he pulls out a pouch filled with some small roots, eats a piece, and requests that you all do the same.
"Sorry I did not mean to offend. I don't know what happing and I was doing my best to follow along. We were given little instruction so I may have done the wrong thing. As you know this is new to us."
Nkechi notices Cevil 'faking it' and Neltji trying to understand what is going on, he says If you do not willingly go on the journey, it will not work!.
Ndombe will attempt to identify the root...
+1 in jungle
...and assuming all is well, he will eat the root as directed.
I will gladly join you on this journey but my nature is one that I always wish to learn and study new things. Do not take this personal as I was the same way when we had to perform a blood serpent sacrifice to open the chamber to a forgotten god. Speaking of gods, did one of them tell you how to do this ritual or did you learn it from someone else? If you learned it from someone else who did that person learn it from? Neltji rambles as she does when she is excited. Just what are those herbs that you are using and do you have to use a specific amount? Taking root she sniffs it first before licking it slightly to determine it’s taste. What does the root do exactly and how much of it do we have to eat? Is it necessary to swallow the whole root or just the juices that it produces when you chew it? Even though she is asking all these questions she does comply and do what is asked if her swallowing the root as well.
Cevill will happily eat the roots as directed while his smarter and more knowledgeable companions investigate.
Cevill is not 'faking it'
When Cevill and Neltji start to protest Nkechi's accusations, he holds up a finger to his lips and hisses, Silence!
In response to Neltji's questions on how much to eat, Nkechi says with exasperation, Eat and chew all of it!
Cevill eats what he is given.
Ndombe also eats the root.
If he is going to be away, do we want to handwave it as it won't effect the story?
As you eat the root, you enter the trance, and perceive yourselves exiting your bodies and drifting as smoke through the night sky. You sense, but do not see, the others. As you travel, you see all of the Mwangi Expanse below you. Slowly, the sky turns red and you reform as strange spirit animals in pale translucent colors.
Ndombe reforms as an ape.
Cevill reforms as a horse.
Neltji reforms as a wild dog.
Nothus reforms as a rat.
Nkechi manifests as a giant crab.
During the strange trance, Nkechi foreshadows the unveiling of the ruins of a forgotten city from ancient folklore. But he warns that many rivals seek the city, and it is unclear who shall be first to claim the location. He also sees a darkness within the city, and ominous storm clouds gathering on the horizon.
About halfway through Nkechi’s divinations, a dream serpent suddenly manifests and attacks.
The Dream Serpent will attack Nkechi!
It misses!
Nkechi will attack the dream serpent!
Ndombe will take a 5' step and attack with two slams...
Cecil will start doing dressage to inspire his allies.
Inspire courage +2/+2
Neltji looks around getting a feel for the new landscape and sensations presented to her. The dream state was quite unusual and she did not know exactly what to expect or how to act. She had some control of her actions and her thoughts were still her own as well so clearly this was not just a dream or a vision...perhaps some astral projection. Who was in control of this out of body experience though? Was Nkechi causing this to happen or was he just a conduit through the gods or outer planar powers? Too many questions and thoughts were running through her head as she watched the ground begin to move ?under? her.
Traveling till dawn, or dusk, she noticed a change in the air...smells seemed sharper here. Breathing in she was inundated with a thousand tiny scents that before were imperceptible. With a laugh (pant) she realized she had transformed int he light to that of a small dog. she wanted to run and frolic in the light. She wanted to jump and chase the butterflies floating on the breeze with only the scent of pollen to guide her. Before she could do this though a presence was felt. Evil and rotten to the core. It came from the buildings below and was a warning for all that searched for this hidden city. Ominous storm clouds miles away still lent a charge of electricity to the air as if waiting for a sign before splitting the world apart in lightning. It was then that the presence manifested into the form of a serpent attacking their spirit guide in this strange world.
Neltji didn't know what would happen should Nkechi 'die' while they were here but didn't want to wait and find out. Thursting her mind forward she dog breathed the serpent causing it's tongue to feel twice as thick in its mouth keeping it from being able to lunge forward and bite the spirit crab.
dog breath (evil eye): -2 to hit
hyena laugh to extend