Sazu considers Devron's words.
"While I would prefer the latter, I doubt that's an option. Cultists don't really go away because people ask. That being said....as the cultists are less likely to team up, helping one to crush the other would eliminate one problem and give a significant stock of information for the other.."
"Yes, no one is just going to leave, no matter how convincing we might be. We shall have to treat with the Erastil's first, perhaps prod them into more conflicts with the Rovagugs and help them to take out that troublesome group first. Then we can decide on how to deal with the Erastilians."
"Indeed, dealing with the cult of Rovagug first would make the most sense, as they are unlikely to deal with us.
"Oh, idea then."Devron adds. "Let's go to the Erastil followers, tell them we're also trying to deal with the cultists, and get them to help us wipe them out somewhere away from town, and then once they've seen how capable we are, ask them to stop causing trouble. Or we can tell them to go away and we'll take care of it?"
"Last time that we talked to any of them, it was like pulling teeth just to get them to say hello. There's a good chance that they aren't going to listen to a damn thing that we have to say. Still though, we won't know for sure what we can learn from these people until we actually get up there and talk to them. So let's go get within line of sight, announce ourselves and tell them that we just want to talk."
Phaedra will go ahead and begin moving back up the trail to where she saw the Erastillians.
Ihon follows without comment.
Andre blinks in surprise at the sight of the allosaurus. "What in Erastil's green earth...? Well, I suppose different strokes for different folks," he mutters.
When Phaedra moves to engage the Erastilians, he follows. "Would you like me to speak with them? I'm more than happy to do so, as they are after all my brothers in faith."
Phaedra nods at Andre's offer. "It surely couldn't hurt to have one of their own brethren be the one to start the discussion."
The group is still standing there, though they draw weapons cautiously once you are in sight. They seem to be waiting to see how you react before taking action themselves, but they clearly expect a fight.
Andre raises his hands, showing the group that he's not got a weapon drawn, and moves slowly to the front of his own party.
"My friends," he says slowly and carefully, "I, like you, am a follower of Old Deadeye. Some of us have met before. And so I can understand much of your reaction to me and my companions. I, too, believe that a community's problems are best handled by the community. I, too, resent the reach of the crown into our daily life. I, too, find it hard to like or trust folks I don't know have my best interests at heart."
"But I also know that sometimes, Erastil calls on us to think beyond ourselves and our own, close community. Sometimes we must consider the larger families we are a part of: our town. Our race. Our kind. Our country. And this skirmish you're engaged in with the Rough Beast in these woods is now beginning to threaten all of the above. Already, a number of your own have died in the conflict. How much longer must it go on before you realize that you have friends on whom to call? Old Deadeye is a stubborn fellow, aye--but it takes teamwork, good sense, and cool heads to bring down a rabid wolf. Whatever this thing that you're fighting for is, the cultists of the Beast have been able to use it to summon demons. Only minor ones, as I understand--but every tiny taint of the Abyss pollutes this forest and all of Cheliax. Let us help you. Show us what the object of your conflict is, and we'll assess whether we can help you win. If we can, well and good, and you'll not be bothered again. If we cannot, we shall bring the full might of the Crown to bear on these beasts, these abominations, these Abyss-spawn. What do you say, my friends?"
Andre gazes about the assembly, trying in particular to pick out any individuals he's met before.
Phaedra attempts to help Andre make nice with the Erastillians, for now...
Sir Amideo will also assist Andre in his diplomatic endeavours.
The group seems to be willing to talk and they lower their weapons slightly, though they keep them in hand.
We are not friends. But...what do you intend to do with these things, this power, if we were to "win"? Can you promise, on behalf of the crown, to leave it to us and never return to this forest?
They seem skeptical and still cautious, but at least somewhat receptive to your proposal.
A second one does chime in however to add, We are no strangers to the lies of Cheliax.
Amideo glances over the crowd, hoping to spot any distinctive figures. I wonder who their leader might be. It could be worth my while to get in their good graces.
Amideo, the one speaking appears to be a male leader of this particular group. With that said, none of their armor looks distinctive or bearing of any rank insignia. It seems unlikely that the leader of the entire group of followers of Erastil is among this group.
Andre spreads his hands. "I can't make a promise that no Chelaxian will ever walk into these woods again--as you know, the forest belongs to everyone, and men must have lumber to build homes for their families and game to feed their children. I can tell you, though, that if you assist the Crown in this matter you will be left in peace. The worship of our god is not forbidden, nor is living in the forest. If you by negligence or spite unleash a demon into the world, though, I for one fear the reprisals of Egorian."
"As for your other promise--well, now, you can hardly expect any man of good sense to make a promise without knowing what it entails. Tell us what this thing is, at least--or, better, what you'd do with it--and I can give you my word or not. You seem like good men here, and I've no doubt we can reach an accord."
Amideo will easily assist Andre in his diplomacy, assuming it is needed.
Ihon stares off into the forest, seemingly uninterested in the conversation at hand.
The group looks amongst each other and the one who has been speaking continues.
It is a place of power. It is of no use to you if you wish to leave this forest to us. We have not bothered the government or your precious Queen before now...while we cannot explain to you all that we may do, why are you so suspicious or our motives now?
If you want an accord, we will offer you this; if you assist us in repelling the cult of Rovagug, we will coordinate our attacks with you and will give you safe passage from the forest once the threat is defeated.
"As we are in the middle of negotiations, we wish to have a moment to converse to decide if this proposal is agreeable."
If allowed, he will urge the others away and say...
"Will this arrangement be acceptable? Ihon, Andre, you seem to be better at these crux decisions.."
Andre bites his lip, but nods. "Aye, I think it is tolerable. There's not a lot anyone else can do with a 'place of power' in any case...unless it looks like a true source of mayhem or there's some other red flag when we see it, I say we take this deal. We need all the help we can get." Looking to the newcomers, he adds gruffly, "I almost lost my life at a demon's claws the other day."
"Sounds good to me." Devron says. "I'm okay with not having to fight everyone."
"I say we take the deal until something happens to make us want to renegotiate it."
Indeed, if battle isn't needed, I see no point in trying to provoke it,"Amideo adds, "We will have enough violence as it is dealing with the cult of Rovagug."
The group of followers of Erastil are wary, but they don't attempt to interfere with you stepping off to conference with each other.
Ihon chuckles, Of course it's not acceptable. We can offer them this, but we will be lying. The government will do what it pleases with this forest no matter their wishes. They wish to be left alone in land that is claimed by Cheliax. This would have been possible had this forest stayed quiet and gone unnoticed. But that is impossible now. He shrugs, This will end poorly for them now matter what we offer. What remains is how it will end for us.
"Then perhaps we can work with them in a sense. For example, they may not take orders from the government, but they may be open to cooperation. The Queen might be willing to work with a forest's "natural" defenders....But I do agree with Ihon, and I don't entirely trust them either."
"I just don't want to have to fight them both at the same time. Let's play along, do our part, and if we need to renegotiate, then we do that after we're done with Rovagug's idiots." Devron replies in a low tone.
Andre nods. "We can certainly adjust if things go badly. But we need their help...and in the end, if it's all relatively harmless, what the Queen doesn't know won't hurt her."
Turning back to the group of Erastilians, he strides forward and holds out his hand. "You have a deal. We'll work together to defeat these Rovagugites, and then you'll be left in peace here in your woods. Now, what do you know? Or is there someone else we should be talking to?"
They nod and the one that has been speaking speaks again, You can speak with us. Meet us here in the future, one of them produces a hand written map and marks an 'X' on a clearing. Just stay there for a few hours and you'll be greeted by one of us.
Is that all then? Another of the group adds.
Though Sazu has a couple hundred questions he wants to ask and document, he resists, and simple smiles.
Amideo tightens some straps on his armor and sighs, relieved by the peaceful resolution of the encounterp.
Yep, that's all until we have to take out your group too....
"Yep, that's all for now. We will be in touch."
Andre takes the map and nods. "Will we be able to meet you later today? Or should we expect to meet you there tomorrow?"
Ihon simply shrugs and looks ready to follow the others.
The group shrugs, You can meet us there any time. It may not be us personally, but that spot is constantly monitored and used for communication with...outsiders.
Andre nods. "Thank you for your help. I hope that I see you again...we need all the men we can get in this struggle."
As the group hikes to the rendezvous point, he hums quietly. "That went well," he comments as the group begins to approach the clearing. "Hopefully the rest of the sect will be as reasonable."
Ihon quietly follows the others, or as quietly as he can manage.
Amideo will follow on horseback while keeping an eye out for any potential threats or noteworthy details.
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Sazu keeps an eye out, but does not try to stay quiet. No use with all this gear on anyway, at least to him.
He immediately stops to examine a very pretty flower, and continues to examine, sketch, and take notes unless someone grabs him on the way.