Ehren looks back and forth between Xander and the small family, unable to follow the discussion until Isilme starts translating for them. Once he gets the gist of it, he frowns with disapproval, finding the deception needless. Even so, aware that arguing amongst themselves might only complicate things further, he does not voice his objections.
Unable to contribute much to the negotiations, he gives the wizard's request a nod. "We will need the meat, in either case."
That's enough to successfully hunt whatever you want. Common hunting animals in this region are wild goats, wild boar, elk, deer, hare, muskrats, pheasants, marmots, weasels, beavers and terrestrial birds known as bustard. So you can write up a description of hunting one large animal or about 5 small animals (enough to feed a total of 10 adults) of your choice.
Kenner crosses his arms and narrows his eyes at Xanderghul, looking him up and down. "Veľmi dobre. Najprv musíme pripraviť náš lov na večeru, skôr ako zapadne slnko. Ak by ste si chceli s nami posedieť, najesť sa a diskutovať o podmienkach, boli by ste vítaní. Pred vstupom do nášho domu však necháte všetky zbrane a rukavice pred dverami. Vrecká na kúzla - sú rovnako silné ako všetky zbrane. To, že tu žijeme, nás nenechá ignorovať podvod, ktorý je možný pomocou mágie," he responds after a long pause.
"Very well. We must first prepare our hunt for dinner before the sun sets. If you would like to sit with us, eat, and discuss terms, you would be welcome. However you will leave all weapons and gauntlets at the door before entering our home. Spell component pouches also - these are as potent as any weapon. Just because we live out here does not make us ignorant to the deception made possible by way of magic."
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As he ventures deeper into the woods, Ehren takes the time to properly appreciate the Norinor. While he is mostly unfamiliar with the region, it reminds him in many ways of the Estrovian back home. But like all Green spaces, it is unique in its own way. Regardless, the fundamentals of hunting he learned as a child remain much the same - it does not take long for him to pick up on the trail of some hooved woodland creature. Of course, that is just the easy part. Despite being barefoot all the time, Ehren is not exactly light on his feet, having always been a little clumsy when it comes to matters of stealth. Fortunately, his magical garb picks up some of his slack, providing him with a sort of adaptive camouflage.
Eventually, the druid finds his prey, a lone goat preoccupied with eating a patch of grass. Ehren frowns, realizing that a sling would make things much easier. Without one, he would have to get much closer to ensure a killing blow. After a few tense seconds of creeping forward, inch by inch, he decides to take his shot. With a flick of his thumb, he sends one of his magic stones hurtling towards the unsuspecting beast. With a muffled crack, the pebble strikes the goat’s thick skull, thankfully knocking the poor creature unconscious. Once it has collapsed in a heap, Ehren casts aside the rest of his stones and draws his old dagger. He makes his way over to the fallen goat and kneels down beside it.
“Go raibh maith agat as an deolchaire seo,” he murmurs customarily, before ending its life with a surgical thrust of his blade.
Kenner waits for Xanderghul to respond, and when he doesn't, simply picks up his elk, slings it over his shoulder, and moves over next to his homestead to start dressing it. "Adula, sleduj týchto ... návštevníkov. Klára, choď dovnútra a pomôž pripraviť večeru," he grunts.
"Adula, keep an eye on these... visitors. Klara, head inside and help get supper ready."
"Áno, oci," the girls respond in unison. The younger of the two heads inside, while the other draws her bow and an arrow and stands on the porch, frowning while she watches the heroes closely. A few moments later, one of the shutters is opened from within, allowing light to stream into the home.
"Yes, papa."
"We should accept their invitation, Xander," Isilme responds to the wizard, he being the only person who could directly address the iobarians.
As she waits, she utters a quick prayer to the Song of Spheres and then tries her best to remember what she knows about Iobarian customs regarding hospitality and bartering, knowing that further offending the father and his daughters might cause problems in achieving their goal.
In Iobaria, being invited into one's home is a big honor, as domiciles are generally considered extremely private. When invited into one's home, it is customary to give a gift, usually food, alcohol, or flowers. Gifts should always be given in odd numbers, due to a superstition regarding even numbers being unlucky, except for the number 13, which is the most unlucky number of all.
Good manners in Iobaria include:
-> Calling people formally by "Pan" (Mr.) or "Pani" (Mrs.) and then their surname. It is rude to call someone by their first name without being told it is okay to do so first.
-> Direct eye contact is important while talking to someone. Averting one's eyes or attempting to multi-task while speaking is considered impolite (it seems sketchy)
-> It is custom to remove one's shoes and extra effects, and leave them on the porch. It is impolite to bring anything dirty into one's home.
-> It is impolite to sit and eat while in full armor, especially in one's home.
-> Wait for the host to say "enjoy your meal" before starting to eat.
-> Napkins are meant to stay on the table, not on one's lap.
-> To refuse the offer of a second helping is polite. Wait until the host insists after the refusal to accept.
-> Always finish all that is on your plate. It is rude to leave food uneaten.
As for negotiations, Iobarians prefer direct language that is to the point, rather than flowery. Iobarians will be more sensitive and empathetic with those they consider close friends and allies, and more direct and blunt with those they don't know well.
Most Iobarians prefer to know historical background or context before beginning any form of negotiation. Body language, body posture and tonal delivery are important enhancements to the verbal message, adding emphasis or additional meaning to the words. It is better to remain calm and take things slowly; spending time to explain clearly why a given proposal will be beneficial to both parties. Being in a hurry and rushing through your explanations will only result in rejection, as Iobarians like to take their time before making a decision and do not like to be rushed into making a decision. Iobarians also place a high value on respect owed to age, which means they prefer to negotiate with someone in their age group, as opposed to aggressive ‘young guns’ who think that they know everything. If a younger person must negotiate with an older Iobarian, they will need to be careful to be respectful and mindful of their age.
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Isilme had probably had spent time learning the customs of dozens of cultures, during her time ages ago at Kitharodian Academy, where she first trained as a bard, in her travels throughout the inner sea in the time that followed, and finally more recently in her role as spymaster for Drezen. Thankfully it was the sort of thing she had a knack for, though, and she'd developed tricks for memorizing the various rituals and such associated with the various cultures. Iobaria, though somewhat far removed from Drezen, was no different.
She takes the others aside briefly to explain the situation in detail, knowing that honoring their customs properly would make for a good impression and simplify the task ahead.
"To be offered in eat in their home is an honor," she explains to the group, beginning a brief explanation of the customs involved with entering the home and accepting their hospitality. "We will want to offer gifts upon entry too, an odd number. I would suggest two cure potions and something else they might find useful. Do we have an extra bow perhaps, or a nice dagger?" After going through the remainder basics with regards to dinner, she moves on to discussing the coming negotiation.
"They place great weight on apparent age for negotiations, and if negotiating with someone who appears older, you should take extra care to be mindful and respect that age difference, though this shouldn't pose a problem for Xander," she begins. "We should explain the full context of the situation, leaving out details or trying to rush the negotiation will only breed distrust. That means explaining what the objects are for and what they mean to Unafe. We will need to emphasize why it will be beneficial to them to help us as well as why it will benefit us."
"I feel it important to reiterate that taking your time discussing the matter is essential. If you try to rush the discussion, they will likely flat out reject our offer, no matter how good it may seem. Be concise and direct, in the negotiation as well. Being strangers, they expect us to be forthright and to-the-point."
Thinking for a moment longer, she pipes up once more "Oh, one final thing. Maintain eye contact, and keep your attention entirely on the negotiation. Doing other things at the same time will be considered disrespectful."
Unafe nods at Isilme's insight.
"Is there anything the Song of Spheres could do, to grant us all this gift of speaking and understanding Iobarian? Or, lacking that..." Unafe gives a glance at the reckless witch. "Why don't you at least lead the negotiations instead of him?"
It's plain on Unafe's face that she's frustrated that she can't understand or be understood by the Iobarians.
When Ehren returns with his kill, Unafe practically leaps to help with the butchering.
Anything to pass the time until we can work this out. Oh Goryon, please, don't let that Southerner ruin this!
Hinagiku listens carefully to Isilme's recommendations. Her mother having always put emphasis on being polite, she pays particular attention to those elements that might prove more difficult for her, such as looking into other's eyes and speaking more directly. Luckily it seemed that being direct would not fall upon her since Mr. Xanderghlul's current appearance marked him as their elder.
"Ary, you suggested creating the feast yourself, like you have done for the Demetae. But, considering their customs, would that be impolite Mrs. Isilme? Also, if gifts are to be offered I could pick some flowers. I have seen a few early ones on our way here. Would that be acceptable?"
Once she receives the okay form Isilme, Hinagiku searches the surroundings from flowers which she can arrange in a wonderful and wild bouquet. She does her best to select an odd number of flowers. Though, math not being her forte, upon her return she asks for Xanderghul's help on the matter.
"So..." Ary says motioning to herself. "My hammer, my sword, my bow, my gauntlets, my shield... all left at the door?" she continues with a lofted brow. "That seems a bit... excessive. And... Faith can be a buckler, but could become a shield again at a moment's notice. So... that's completely out. Unafe's armor is a weapon as well. And Daisy is a weapon" she adds wincing.
"I don't feel comfortable to leave all of this... out here." she says as she begins removing her weapons and gauntlets. She traces her finger along Faith as she waits for the others to make a decision as to whether or not to enter. "I'm going to feel far more naked than even at the bath houses."
She huffs, "Could a large amount of free food count as a single gift? And... I could probably give some of us a way to talk, but he'd have to let us into his head. And... if not, I have some scrolls of what Isilme cast, Unafe. Are there any spells that would let him understand us? You could ask if he knows how to use a scroll... but either way it would only last for a very short amount of time."
Xander had been waiting for his compatriots to voice their thoughts, but didn't really have that much more to say to the Iobarian anyway. He had said his piece, and Xander needed to talk things over with his compatriots anyway.
In Taldane, he speaks to them: "I'm not completely convinced that they even possess what we're looking for. Even if they do, I don't believe we should tell them what we intend to use it for. People don't tend to be happy about dinosaur-summoning in their peaceful hermitages."
"Nevertheless, I will sit with them, and I will offer what I have to try and appease them. Ary, you don't have to come with if you don't want to. I will get ahold of at least the bowl. Do any of you have any other ideas for ways we could find the other items that we need?"
"Hmm, I might be able to grant the father the ability to speak common, if he would accept magic cast upon him," she says in response to Unafe's question. "But I do not think I can do anything to grant us the ability to speak Iobarian much more so than we can now. Sadly the magic I am using at the moment only allows me to understand what is being said, not to communicate."
She understood Ary's hesitance to leave all their gear outside, untended. Despite the remove of the ex-demetae village, it was simply too big a risk to leave their gear unguarded. It was certainly possible that one of their foes could scry on them and simply teleport in to retrieve their unguarded gear. "As far as leaving things at the door, we could always ask if they would be ok with someone being outside guarding the gear."
"I believe we will need every advantage we can get here, Xander. I don't think we lose anything by being forthright, but given their customs and cultural preferences, we could lose their aid entirely if we withhold information. I doubt they know much about summoning spirits or care, for that matter. Most people have never seen or heard of Saurians, I doubt the people here are any different. Additionally, I feel like we should exhaust this avenue first, before proceeding. We already know they will be at least of some use, since there is one piece we know they have in their possession."
"As far as food as a gift, perhaps if we succeed, we could offer them a feast, but I would suggest gifts that are useful to them for now. Healing potions are something that could come in quite handy out here as far removed from the villages and towns as they are."
Xander shrugs. "Alright," he says.
He walks over to the family patrician, who is outside their house dressing the elk. "Hello, Pan Kenner. My companion wishes to cast a spell on you, or another member of your family. The spell will allow you to speak Taldane for the rest of the day, so that you can speak to all of my companions instead of just me. Your ability to speak to me will expire in just about an hour. Will you accept?"
"Je to Pan Skorvlov, nie Pan Kenner," the woodsman corrects, tersely. He considers Xanderghul's words for a very long set of moments.
"Hmph. Dobre. Do toho," says Kenner.
"It is 'Mr. Skorvlov', not 'Mr. Kenner'"
"Alright. Go ahead."
Adula tenses from the porch, her hands shifting positions on her bow, though she keeps her weapon relaxed.
Xander gives Isilme a dramatic "go ahead!" gesture.
Isilme nods in response and approaches the woodsman. She bows briefly, then reaches out and gently touches him on the shoulder. There she begins scribing a divine rune representing understanding and community. Digging in to her own soul, she fashions a portion of her own essence into something resembling the divine spark she once had and imbues the rune with that power. The act itself is quite painful, though Isilme does her best to mask that from both the group and Pan Skorvlov. As she releases the rune, it flares briefly before slowly fading away.
"Pan Skrovlov," she says calmly, "You should be able to speak and understand Taldane now, at least for the next day. I am Isilme Va'ardalia. Thank you for allowing this, as it will allow you to speak with Unafe Dau-Galon," she says, stopping briefly to gesture at the Demetae warrior. "The items we seek hold personal significance to her beyond our current task. We gladly accept your invitation to eat with your family and for the chance to discuss this deal further."
Having prepared the bouquet, Hinagiku decides to go through her haversack and empty anything that might be considered a weapon, namely two flasks of alchemist fire which she gives to Ary.
Kenner blinks a few times before experimentally trying to speak with Isilme. His accent is extremely thick, even thicker than the manager of the Jolly Hag back in Mishkar.
"Ms. Va'ardalia, Ms. Dau-Galon, it ees good to meet you," he responds with a nod. "So strange to see such a strange group of people so deep within the Norinor. Now, please excuse me, as I must prepare our hunt for dinner. Erastil must have known you were coming, to have gifted us such a noble beast before to the frost-thaw."
"Yeah... it makes sense for one of us to stay out here." Ary says, beginning to put her gauntlets back on. "I... would not enjoy the time spent taking off and putting my armor back on, nor the idea of leaving all of this at the door. Thank you for the invitation, though." the warrior says with a nod to their apparent host as she takes the flasks from Hinagiku. "I'll... likely try to get some work done while you guys talk and eat. I'll just carry most of what you leave with me, if it's sharp, I'll find some way to hang it off of my pack. Otherwise... I'll be moving around collecting the fallen. Call if you need anything."
Kenner raises an eyebrow at Ary and shrugs. "Vell, eef the Avistani are too good to break bread with us, because getting cleaned and ready for dinner ees too much of an imposition then who are ve to argue? But I vas under the impression that there vas something that you vanted of us."
"Adula, budeš sledovať túto vojačku, kým budeme večerať. Chystá niečo, odmieta odzbrojiť," he barks.
"Adula, you will watch this soldier woman while we eat dinner. She is up to something, she refuses to disarm."
The girl at the porch groans. "Ale oci, som hladný. Pracovali sme celý deň."
"Je pre nás príliš riskantné nechať svojich strážcov dole, zatiaľ čo ozbrojení cudzinci číhajú v tieni, keď padá slnko. Urobíte, ako hovorím," he responds, sternly.
"Áno, oci," Adula grumbles.
"But papa, I am hungry. We've been working all day."
"It is too risky for us to let our guards down while armed strangers lurk in the shadows as the sun falls. You will do as I say."
"Yes, papa."
"I am certainly not too good for any of the such." Ary says, slowing in her flight to turn back towards him. "But having someone here who can protect everyone, and our belongings is a choice that I'm willing to make, especially while there is work to be done. If even one body is left unburied here, it is a travesty. My eating can wait." she then continues in her task, floating back towards the northwestern building.
Kenner scowls, putting his knife down to return eye-contact when Ary speaks to him. "Ha! Protect against who?! If you so clearly do not trust us, then why should ve trust you? You expect us to let our guards down around you, a group of armed strangers who outnumber us, and you vill not even disarm your weapons to enjoy a free meal?" He laughs. "No, no. On second thought, your intentions here are quite clear. As you have scorned my graciously giving you the benefit of the doubt and opening my home to you, of giving you of our hunt when food is so scarce, I vill take my offer back. Ve vill have nothing to do vith any of you. Conclude vatever business you have here, leave, and do not bother us again."
Turning back to Adula, Kenner barks another order. "Stále ich sleduj, Adula. Na večeru zamkneme dvere a okenice, ale budeme musieť striedať stráženie celú noc."
Adula tenses, shifting her weight, her eyes flitting between the five strangers.
"Keep an eye on them, Adula. We will lock the doors and shutters for dinner, but we will need to alternate keeping watch throughout the night."
Ary rolls her eyes and turns around, the old man was apparently a child. "I would like to point out that your lack of trust in strangers is one such reason that I do not trust the possibility of other strangers showing up here. If you're afraid of thieves and bandits, then it is clear that you have had to deal with such. If you haven't, then you would have no cause to be afraid of us. If you truly wish to take your food back, and withdraw your offer of us entering your home, then I will return the offer in kind." she says, closing her eyes for a moment, a table appearing in the clearing, followed by ten chairs, then food, drink, and flatware - the same sort of spread that she had summoned for the kellids. Entirely too many starches and carbs, but with enough meat to feed everyone there. She opens her eyes once more, tense and clearly annoyed, but still attempting to make any sort of mending that she could.
"I do not have a home to offer you, but the weather is clear. If you find it too chilly, I can do something about that as well."
Adula's eyes widen at the sight of so much food and her mouth drops open, but Kenner raises a hand and shakes his head at her.
Kenner doesn't even bother to return eye contact. He simply continues skinning the elk in front of him."Clearly you are capable of powerful magic. I can see now vhy you are accustomed to getting your vay vherever you go. I am sure you came here expecting that ve vould look at your golden armor and your expensive clothes, and ve vould bend over ourselves to do vatever you vant of us, for hopes that you vuld toss us a spare platinum. But you are wrong. Ve are self-sufficient people here in Iobaria. Ve do not need your charity. You may think of us as simple forest-folk, but ve are not like you, ve are not savages, eating meals outdoors in the cold, vhile dressed to murder the man beside of you." Opening the elk's belly, he begins pulling out its innards, his arms and hands covered in gore. "These are the things that separate man from beasts."
Kenner is no longer being respectful - as shown by his unwillingness to make eye contact or interrupt his work to talk. He is clearly deeply offended.
Ary shakes her head, then looks to Unafe, then Isilme. "Sorry. It seems almost as if every time I open my mouth it upsets someone. I'll just be out of your ways." she says, continuing in her work.
Xander tsks. "Ary, there's no reason for you to be acting like the hurt party here. If you truly wanted to apologize, you would take off your armor and weapons. True diplomacy usually means offering something that you don't want to give up."
He shrugs nonchalantly. "Nid wyf yn gwybod beth allaf ei wneud am hynny, serch hynny. Dim ond yn y drws y cefais i. Yn wirion Xander gyda'i syniadau gwirion."
As if to show his point, he removes his crossbow, dagger, machete and spell component pouch and places them on the dinosaur altar. Then he turns, palms up, and trods over to the last unsearched house to look around in the rubble for any missing objects.
Ary cups her head in her hands and rubs her temples with her thumbs. "You're right, Xander. There's absolutely no reason for me to be hurt by the fact that every single non-crusader that we have met in recent history choosing to act this way towards me. Every. Single. One." She turns towards him, "I thought it was maybe because I looked like a half-drow. I thought maybe it was because I was a Crusader on their land. I thought maybe I was overlooking something. But at this point, I'm pretty sure they're just bigots who don't care about anything but themselves. And as long as I feel that way, there's no point in me even trying to contribute to negotiations. Like, why are you even bringing me with you to things like this? Every time I open my mouth, it ruins something. So, no. I'm done. If you guys can salvage this, then I'll consider doing as he asked, but I'm not simply going to volunteer it. He'll just take me trying to make amends as another insult. I'm so unbelievably tired of not even my friends trying to understand me," she continues, hands falling to her sides. "There remains nothing positive that I can add to this. As usual." she says, then turns in the air and flies into the building with the skeleton, fluttering over to investigate it. "You forgot your staff." she calls over her shoulder.
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Unafe feels great relief when Isilme gives the father the ability to speak Taldan...a relief that unravels quickly as Ary unwittingly missteps.
What would Old Aye do here? Unafe recalls the few times she saw him greet visitors from afar, and his statement that Southerners are often ignorant of our ways. And now, here, it seems I am the Southerner...
Unafe looks for an opportunity to meet Skrolov's eyes and then speaks.
"Pan Skrovlov, you have done us an honor by inviting us into your home, and--without intending it--we've shown you disrespect. If you would, please understand that we are visitors in your land, and are still learning. May I begin again?
"My name is Unafe Dau-Galon. I am grieved that my elder, Aye, is not here to speak on behalf of my people. In his absence, I will attempt to do him justice.
"First though, we will of course show you the courtesy of disarming. We are ignorant of who or what else lives around here and--speaking plainly--my companion fears some stranger to you or me robbing us while we enjoy your hospitality. That said--"she shoots a meaningful look at Ary"--I am certain you would not suggest this if it were a risk.
"After I have taken off my armor, I would be happy to help you and your daughters out, if I wouldn't be in the way. I could assist in any cleaning and preparations, or aid you in dressing that fine animal."
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Kenner stops what he is doing and returns Unafe's gaze.
"I am sorry to hear that you have lost the elder of your people, Ms.Dau-Galon. Our time on this soil is too short," he responds after a moment of silence. "Your politeness ees a credit to his good teaching."
"You seem like a very honorable young woman, but I am not sure vat further you have to discuss, not vith, ah, vat did your friend call me? A bigot who doesn't care about anything but themself?" He chuckles. "She projects her own veaknesses onto others, it seems. A common fallacy of the youth, and particularly of the vealthy and powerful, from my experience. They forget their place, think so much is owed to them. Some grow up and learn, other's don't."
"Ve vill not get in your way while you finish vatever mysterious business you have here, 'multi-tasking hunters'. I suspect that ve could not stop you eef ve vanted to. I recommend you get your work done before the sun sets, so that you can leave. It can be hard to navigate the Norinor in the dark, and the roaming centaur tribes here can often be less open-minded about foreigners than ourselves. Ve have an agreement and an understanding, ve and they, but I cannot extend that assumption to yourselves."
Meanwhile, Ary turns and leaves to the north, exploring the building that Xanderghul had already exited to retrieve the small darkwood Tyrannosaur figurine. The interior here is decayed and water-logged. Leaning against one of the walls are the long-dead remains of a humanoid creature. Scattered around the skeletal remains are nine different wooden carvings, each of a different saurian creature, and each about six-inches tall. Two of them represent tyrannosaurs. They are all covered in moss and accumulated debris, making them difficult to see well from a distance.
Ary takes off her cloak and swoops forward, ignoring the figures, and begins to collect the human remains within it, as she had done with the Crusader Crosses.
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"Please." Unafe says, "I will understand if you no longer wish to share a meal with us, though I would be happy to make amends if we are able. My companion has been off at war for some time, defending her land from invading demons, and has lost many that are dear to her. I fear it makes her quick to distrust.
"In any event, my task here is one that I am honor-bound to my ancestors to complete. I humbly ask your leave to explain it, at the proper time, as I feel that I may be at the mercy of your kindness in my success...and I still hope that perhaps we could offer you something in exchange for kindness to strangers.
”I would be happy to explain it now, if you prefer, but I know you are busy preparing your dinner. I defer to you as you when is best to discuss these matters."
As she speaks, the spirits of her honoured accessories moan softly.
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Isilme barely finishes the introduction after casting her magic upon Pan Skrovlov before Ary ends up in a heated exchange with the man. While Isilme too had been concerned about simply leaving their belongings outside unattended, she had intended to approach the matter with some tact and delicacy. Ary's volunteering and then reacting poorly to the hunter's offense at her refusing dinner, and then reacting even more poorly to his offense at her prior reaction, manages to leave Isilme speechless for a moment as she tries to come to terms with the exchange and how best to mitigate the damage done. Nevertheless, she does her best to hide her dismay, watching Unafe step in to try to lighten the situation.
Isilme composes herself and begins the exceedingly delicate task of both being appropriately apologetic while simultaneously being as direct as possible due to the Iobarian rules of etiquette to which she was adhering, something which was especially important now.
"Pan Skrovlov, I will spare you the flowery words which would usually accompany such a thing, but I sincerely apologize. Commander Bishop is that, a military commander who is dealing with the ongoing war in Mendev. While it does not excuse the offense she has given, I ask that you understand that she is a solider first and finds it difficult to think or act otherwise. To her, standing guard so that her men and woman can eat in peace is a form of duty and a way of showing respect for their sacrifices. Similarly, when one has known only war for years, it is difficult to set down your arms, for doing so could cost you the lives of friends, family, or those who serve under you. The battlefield has little room for tact or niceties, especially one in which your opponents are demons and their worshippers. Unfortunately the decisiveness and certitude which serve those under her command well are ill suited here."
"Mistake me not: You have every right to be offended, for the burden of courtesy and respect is upon us as guests, as we are the ones imposing upon your time and privacy. Her attempts to provide as she does for those under her command may not have been appropriate or welcome here, but they were made in good faith. Nevertheless, the actions which started as hurtful escalated quickly to something beyond the pale."
"If you will allow us, my allies and I will gladly carry the feast to your door that you and your daughters may take it inside and partake of it. It is the least we can do to make amends. When we are done doing so, I would ask that you take a moment to consider whether it would be possible to start again with a blank slate. The lives of innocent people are depending upon us, and we in turn are dependent upon your aid."
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Ary listens to the conversations after she's gone while she does the beginnings of her work, somewhat stuck in her head... but hearing Unafe stick up for her - in her own way - makes Ary feel at least a bit less alone. She... understood. Not the whole of it, but at least part.
She looks back over her shoulder towards where the others are talking, and chews on her lip, before continuing to collect the bones into her cloak, focusing on the task, and the words carrying on the wind. She breaks for a moment, and looks around at the ruined building... the ruins in the Worldwound did not affect her so... but a ruined farm - village, it was a village - in the middle of a forest drew forth a great many memories.
In the end, Ary had been wrong... and stubborn, as she often was. Yes, what she was trying to do was right, and he should have just understood that... but he was also trying to do what was right, and she hadn't tried to understand him, either. She huffs, ensuring that she collects each bone fragment that she can find.. and then once done, begins unbuckling her gauntlets and gathers up the cloak as if it were a sack, heading back towards the still-standing house and digging into her belt-pouch. She pauses as she hears Isilme begin, and just stares a hole into the ground as she speaks, still out of sight. As Isilme is finishing, she steps out of the building and heads around to the side that the Iobarian is on.
As Unafe had done, Ary moves around to the front of Kenner, waiting for him to look up from his work. "Pan Skrovlov. I... should apologize. I spend far too much time doing my best to look after and protect far too many people, and take for granted that people understand me. I was wrong to imply that you were a bigot, that feeling has nothing to do with you and everything to do with recent losses. I... understand that what you are trying to do is exactly what I am trying to do. Protect your family from threats. It was very rude of me, not only to accuse you, but to lump you in with issues that I have been personally dealing with of late." As she speaks, she keeps her eyes on him, and begins to shift from her human form back to her half-drow form.
"I hope that you can forgive my rash behavior and not allow it to compromise the honor of my allies. If you would..." she says, removing from her belt pouch a single cookie, that despite all odds was still perfectly fresh, holding it in her bare hand and offering it forward. "This was given to me by someone who aided us in a faraway land... if any of you are ever grievously wounded, eating it will likely save your - or your daughter's - life. Will you take it as a gift in exchange for your hospitality that I so rudely spurned?"
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Having given her flasks to Ary, Hinagiku had tied a small ribbon around her bouquet and left it in a protected nook close to the altar and was about to return to guard duty when she overhears the exchange between the commander and Pan Skrovlov. She tries to catch her companion’s gaze as she passes by, but she seems too focused on the task she has set out to do to notice the monk by the saurian statue.
Walking out of the shrine, Hinagiku looks first to Pan Skrovlov who is currently speaking to Unafe, and then to the building in which Ary disappeared. Catching glimpses of the explanation provided by her companion, she hesitates between going after Ary and speaking to their possible host. In the end, she defaults to her Minkaian upbringing, they were one group, the perceived fault of one was the fault of all. She slowly approaches the group and waits for a turn to speak.
”Pan Skrovlov, pardon me for joining in this discussion while you prepare your hunt. My name is Hinagiku. Maybe I can make up for it by helping a bit, I am not used to preparing meat, but I can hold and clean tools. Before I do, I want to extend my apologies as one with my companions.” Hinagiku says, fighting all along against bowing in concern of breaking eye contact.
Having said her short bit, Hinagiku steps to the side of the dead animal and, if given the opportunity to help, pulls up her sleeves and does her best to follow any instructions given to her.
While all of this is going on, Xanderghul walks south to one of the still unexplored buildings. This small domicile is overrun with a dense thicket of vines and shrubs bearing yellowish green leaves. Rickety stairs lead up to what used to be a doorway, but is now a gaping hole in the southern wall. Another large hole punctures the eastern wall. On the western wall is a door that is still apparently intact, which blocks his view of the next room. The vines have fully overtaken the indoor of what remains of this home. They drape downwards from the ceiling, and cover most of the ground and walls.
These vines are pretty obviously poisonous. Xanderghul can tell from the oily sheen.
This is known as "žihľava" - an Iobarian term for "stinging vine".
Contact with even miniscule amounts of the oil, which is pernicious enough to easily penetrate clothing, or get in-between the cracks of armor, will cause a creature to break out in terrible hives, and constant muscle twitches. Repeated contact with the oil can cause even worse effects, leading to even paralysis of the musculature.
----
Meanwhile, Kenner crosses his arm and frowns as he sees Ary approach him yet again. He lets Unafe, then Isilme, then Ary say their peace before closing his eyes, frowning, and shaking his head. "Vell, I do not know of vat war you speak of, but I do know that all vars consume the lives of the young first. They are all travesties. I vill pray to Erastil for your continued survival. I vill forgive your rudeness, as long as you mind your manners better," he says, accepting Ary's gift.
To Hinagiku, he nods. "I did not know that Kodloks lived in Avistan as well. I respect your bravery to live as yourself. Come, I vill show you what you need to do."
'Kodlok' is a local Iobarian term for a human who has animalistic characteristics (such as a Catfolk or Centaur). 'Kodlak', a similar sounding word, is a human who can take on animalistic characteristics (such as a lycanthrope).
Kodlaks and Kodloks of all sorts are common in Iobaria. Typically, Kodlaks are considered gifted humans, while Kodloks are viewed as sub-human, and 'bestial'. However, there are Iobarian communities that are lead by, or even worship, Kodloks.
"Ehren, could you provide a place to store all our things while we are inside? I suspect we'll need shelter for the evening that will be unobtrusive anyway," she says turning to the now silver-streaked Kellid. "I will help inside as well, once I set my things aside and get cleaned up. Thank you again for your understanding and hospitality, Pan Skrovlov."
Once a location to store their gear and supplies is found, Isilme leaves behind her bags and gear, apart from her armor, which is trivially concealed with her sleeves of many garments. She then pockets her ioun stone and heads back, offering to carry in some of the foods from the banquet Ary had laid out, and then removing her boots to help set things for dinner inside.
"After I have taken off my armor, I would be happy to help you and your daughters out, if I wouldn't be in the way. I could assist in any cleaning and preparations, or aid you in dressing that fine animal."[/url]
Assuming there's work for her as well, Unafe takes off her breastplate and handwraps, and leaves them at the door. Openning her familiar pouch, she says, "Hei un bach, a wnewch chi nap yma, a gadewch i mi wybod a oes unrhyw un yn ceisio symud ein pethau?"
Once Sicrwydd is curled up inside her breastplate, Unafe looks for opportunities to help Pan Skrovlov and his daughters.
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Overhearing the chatter from behind them, Xander idly ponders the cultural implications of 'Kodlak' and 'Kodlok'. It made sense to him that lycanthropes would be considered gifted humans, but for whatever reason Avistanis insisted on calling lycanthropy a curse. He wonders whether or not Avistani werewolves ever fled into Iobaria seeking acceptance, and about the existence of an underground railroad of werewolves helping other werewolves seek a promised land where all could be free from prejudice.
Shaking his head, he clears away the random fantasy. Craning his head to peer into the house, he figures that all is overrun by grasping vines and probably long since rotten away... but then he sees the still intact door. It might have held up some kind of seal, and contain items of historical import.
He enters the vine-laden house, machete in hand. He uses the machete to clear away any vines that impede his movement, and heads towards the door.
Ehren is not present - he is out hunting. However tiny Sicrwydd is happy to curl up inside the warmth of her breastplate, it being a much more comfortable place to rest than inside of her cage, open to the icy Iobarian air.
Meanwhile, Xanderghul clears the way through the yellow-green vines using his machete, and makes his way to the door. However, without knowing that they are in fact poisonous, he doesn't take as much care as he needs to, and a small amount of the oil manages to get on his skin...
He finds the door leads to a singular large room, that must have been some sort of workshop or lab in times past, based on the specialized equipment that lines the walls. Hanging from the ceiling are several handcrafted necklaces, including one made of leather, strung with saurian claws, teeth, and black feathers, as Nelket had described. However, there are even more many poisonous vines also hanging from the ceiling that impede Xanderghul's path. While the way back is now clear, thanks to his machete, this room is again very densely filled with vines...
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Ary inclines her head to him and moves to where Unafe has removed her armor, placing the bundled cloak beside Unafe's pet duck and dropping her backpacks between the two. "Do not eat this." she says, sternly to the creature, before taking off her belt and sheathe and beginning to slowly remove her armor.
As she begins to remove Faith, the straps tighten on her forearm causing her to purse her lips and knit her brow, after which there are no objections from the shield. Each piece is patiently removed and placed together reverently. By the time she's removed all of the plates, it's only just begun to be time to remove the chain, and then the leather. As she removes the leather, she flexes her fingers, making a fist, then releasing the tension, a slow inhale and exhale... and she changes back into her angelic form. She nods appreciatively and continues the process.
She was considerably less comfortable outside of the armor, as well as in, causing her to frequently check her sight lines. As Isilme attempts to cheat by not removing her armor, Ary frowns at her and motions at her entire body. "You missed a spot."
She takes a moment to twist the ring on her hand and intone "I will shine in Her Legion." Immediately afterwards her disheveled appearance sets itself right, her clothing becoming unwrinkled and her hair returning to its unmussed shape. As Isilme removes her boots at the door, Ary lofts her brow. "So... what are we allowed to keep wearing?"
Xander grits his teeth as the first effects of the poison set in. He's tough, though, for a wizard. He is able to muscle on through the first effects of the poison, flicking lingering oil off of his skin and slicing away vines with his machete. As much as it pains him, he has no easy solution to the problem of the necklace being across the room. He had not prepared mage hand today, despite his preponderance of cantrips.
Carefully, he rambles back through the entryway of the house. He shouts to the others, "Hey!"
"I found the saurian-tooth necklace in this house, but it's blocked by vines. It's too difficult for me to reach without getting poisoned, and I don't want to chance it. Does someone more agile than I want to help out?"
When Xander describes the necklace, Unafe's eyes light up. "Good work!"
She feels an immediate urge to go get it. I suspect if I shrunk to the size of a tiny saurian, I could easily navigate the vines and get the necklace, but...Will they understand if I rush off for a minute or two? I've already agreed to help with the preparations. I can get it after dinner, if noone else gets it first.
Sighing inwardly, Unafe continues with the butchering, cooking, setup, or whatever else their hosts ask of her.
Realizing she's left him hanging, Unafe adds, "I'm already thick into dinner preparations, but after dinner I suspect I can easily get it, with the aid of the saurian spirits. Right now though I've got to fill this kettle."
"Like Unafe said, we should worry about dinner first and then after we have finished for the evening we can retrieve it," Isilme responds. "It has waited this long there, there shouldn't be any issue with it waiting a few hours longer."
Xander frowns, shrugs, and sits on the stoop. If it was apparently time to do nothing, he would do nothing. As they say: when in Azlant, do as the Azlanti do.
Hinagiku and Unafe assist with cooking dinner while Isilme and Ary help move the food from her conjured table indoors, and Xanderghul simply sits and watches. Once the elk is dressed, Kenner carries the meat indoors, taking his boots off at the door, and washing his arms and face clean of gore in the large, silvery basin sitting in his home's entryway. His daughter follows suit, washing off the grime from the day.
They serve the elk simply: in stew, which is hearty but flavorless compared to the spread that Ary had conjured up. The family sits at the table, and patiently waits until Kenner says, "Do brou chut," before helping themselves to the feast before them.
Hinagiku walks to the side of the altar, picking up some unmelted snow from its northernmost corner rubbing the blood and dirt off of her hands with it before gently picking the bouquet she had made earlier. Returning to the house, she can’t help but feel a homely feeling as she takes off her shoes and leaves them by Skrolov’s; it was now so rare for her to enter someone house and follow customs of her own land. Letting her elders enter first - Xanderghul and Isilme - Hinagiku then steps in and washes her hands in the bowl before presenting the flowers to Skrovlov. ”Thank you for receiving us Pan Skrovlov”
Then with one look followed by a polite nod she salutes the two daughters.
”Pan Skrovlov. Please forgive my lack of knowledge, but should we call your daughters Pani Skrovlov or call them by their first name? If so, I do not believe that we have been introduced.”
With that said, Hinagiku looks into their hosts direction to know where she should be sitting and once this is made clear she takes her seat, waiting for all of their hosts to start eating before she does. Although she expects the wait to be longer, long enough for Ehren-kun to return, and when their host begins to eat she begins to feel quite uncomfortable. It seemed to her that the correct thing to do would have been to wait for him to return from the hunt, but not wanting to be impolite, she begins to eat.
Kenner gestures to his older daughter, who appears to be a teenager. "This ees my oldest daughter, Adula." He then gestures to his younger daughter, who is but a pre-teen. "And this ees my younger daughter, Klara. They are but children, they need no honorifics."
Both girls smile and make eye contact with Hinagiku politely, but not knowing Taldane, and knowing she does not speak Iobarian, they don't say much.
Xander does not attend the dinner. He does not wish to participate in the negotiations where he is unwelcome, and he does not have any need to eat. Plus, Ehren was still not back, and Isilme had expressed some insecurity regarding their belongings being stolen while dinner was being eaten. Because of these reasons, he thought it best to remain outside.
He sits on the stoop of a nearby house instead. With Valais absent, it fell to him to keep records. He takes out his journal. In it, he wtites a description of the ruined village. He mentions the haunted corpse, the vision he saw of the saurian eating people, the solitary hermits living alone, the beautiful forest of darkwood, and the ruined shrine to Dolok. He writes some about Nelket's story from her childhood, and he also writes some of what Caitlyn had told them about the Wintersun clan and their trek to the Wound.
He also does a sketch of the shrine, with trees and other buildings roughly added in.