Hannarr lets out a relieved sigh. Find someone? that we may be able to do. Come, let us make camp and break bread -erm share foodstuff -and discuss your missing colleague further.
He beckons over the rest of the group and sets about clearing a spot for a dwarf-fungus meeting of the minds.
Dolgrin approaches his hands away from his weapons and palms upraised.
Ulfgar picks his bow up, strings it across his shoulders and walks to join the others, modeling Dolgrin with hand s open wide.
"Hannarr, Kragg what's going on?"
It's okay, Hannarr calls as the others start to approach. Come and meet the Xan. They are searching for one of their own. I suggested we might be able to help.
Talking to the Xan, Indeed, we can all understand what it would be like to lose one of our own and need to search for them. I see nothing that would prevent us from helping search for your companion. Where was he last known to be and how can we identify him if we should find him. Also how will he know that we are friendly and trying to help?
as the others approach, It is Hannarr says. i agree that we shoud help them to foster our relationship and prove our good will to these people. May this be the first of many positive interactions that will bring our people closer together should we have the same goals and outlooks.
The Xan listens to Kragg's question, and says, "Tell him Fush has sent you to help. Identifying him should be easy. His scent is spicy with..."
Another member of the Xan pokes Fush and communicates with him.
In what could only be described as fungal embarrassment, Fush apologizes, "I suppose his scent won't help you much, many races aren't as refined in spore detection. He has purple veins...streaks in his head in a spiral pattern, not unheard of in our people but uncommon."
As her company's 'faces' and the mycorric underworlders converse, Anka remains silent, her expression revealing little save that she follows the thread of the conversation clearly.
Anka isn't sure of the Xans' expressions, but she's pretty certain, as their words are translated, that they have no clue she doesn't need them.
Purple spiral on his head - got it. Hannarr scratches his beard. What else can you tell us? Where was he going and why? When we find him, where will we find you?
"Perhaps he was seeking out the Skis'raal to spy on their plans. They are monsters who hope to destroy us. It is also possible he was seeking out the Rothe, those cattle are resources beyond price even for we who eat...differently than you."
"Well, we did come he to make friends this seems like as good a way as any." Ulfgar muses in dwarven to no one in particular. Continuing in undercommon. "We've run into ogre remains, huge scorpions, and some kind of plant that looks like what we call wolves above ground. Anything you'd like to warn us about in your forest home while we search for your missing friend?"
Always the ranger, Ulfgar is looking to find out the dangers both geological and natural of the area he is working in.
"The spore cloud storms here are dangerous to those not Xan. We have seen them drive nonxan mad, or ill of the body instead" they warn, "And drow patrols can be found about their own business as well."
Thank you for the information regarding the surrounding dangers. We will do what we can to look for your companion. I want to ask you about something you said though as I am puzzled by it. You mention the Skis'raal and that they want you destroyed. We found a missive on a drow scout that mentions something about keeping you 2 people at war. What was the start of the hostilities and do you have hope for any peace between the 2 of you?
diplomacy aid
I ask as we have already been targeted by the drow. If we can undermine their goals while strengthening ourselves with allies that know the area we can each be safer should they attack us. If you are agreeable to finding a peaceful solution to the conflict I will do what I can to broker a peace agreement with them. I will tell you now though that I am not interested in taking sides as I do not know enough of each of you to justify any aggressive participation. Yet even if the 2 of you can reach a peaceful agreement we would still be willing to have peaceful relations with you.
Kragg looks to Hannarr for him to seal the deal with the diplomatic approach hoping that Kragg's words are enough to help him convince the Xan.
Modnar clasps his hands behind his back and bites his lip as the others parley with the xan. This would not be an opportune time to go angering anyone!
Hannarr keeps a neutral smile on his face as Kragg reveals vast amounts of information to essentially perfect strangers. Well, I admire his open and trusting nature, but I think we will need to have a talk about playing things a little closer to the cuff in the future.
To the Xan, Yes, well there will be time to talk of all that later with your leaders. For now we must find your missing companion, yes? What is his name? It sounds like looking for Rothe tracks or Skis'Raal activity might be a good starting point. Hannarr unrolls his map and shows it to the Xan. Do you know of any likely places to start the search? Perhaps you could mark the trail between here and your village so we might know the route he took. Do you know of any Skis'Raal settlements near here that he might have run afoul of?
The Xan at first seem too startled by Kragg's comment to response. They mutter among themselves....
"It is... too soon for what this one..." An almost apologetic nod of the head to Kragg "Suggests. Drow are deceivers, true, but so are the many limbs. As for lost one? Miku is name. As for Village..." They make an odd frilly sound, which you realize maybe chuckling, "Xan is much bigger than that. We will show you where it is, but there will be no warm welcoming to outsiders, not without Miku or other proof of friendship. We are but seekers, not rule. Find him though, and much greeting may you yet receive. Much listening may we yet do."
Cautiously, they do give you directions to the great city of Xan and warn you away from a certain path where a cave fisher dwells "We do not believe Miku would go there. All of our people know to avoid it."
Dolgrin grimaces as Kragg gives away secrets, something Lord Ardwal never countenances. He also notes that the dwarf wants to walk a middle path, an easy way to be smashed by the oxcart of history.
The Diamondheart has the right of it, lets find the missing scout and make our politics later.
Sense motive
Kragg keeps his own opinions as to why he said what he said to himself for the moment. The others may look at him in disgust but he got more out of what they said than they recognized. It ws worth it and it brought out the issue now rather than ata worse time. It gave him much to think on and hopefully the Xan to think on as well.
As the conversation winds to a close, Anka prepares for their departure.
As the Xan seekers had mentioned going along the coast, you turn inland, harkening more west than north for now. After all, you may have to turn around eventually, and this at least allows you to explore new terrain on your way back if you don't find this Miku fellow.
Seeing the party breaking up, Ulfgar nods farewell to the Xan, shoulders his pack once more moving towards his position up front looking for a trail moving forward.
Kragg keeps watch on the way with the others but has other things to worry about and lets those that are accustomed to such activites worry about it themselves. Instead he thinks on what they have learned, explored, and discovered in the short time they have been down here. He is also trying to figure out how to word shy he said what he did to he others to make them see his reasoning.
perception
Modnar bites a little too deeply into his lip during the conversation with the xan, distracting him from the tail end of the dialogue. As the meeting draws to a close, the wizard looks around to make sure nothing has been left behind.
I have never liked negotiations -- it will be good to strike out again.
As teh company proceeds, Anka remains alert to threats & possibilities.
You make your way further west, it is Anka who realizes a swirling storm of spores is moving rapidly upon you and about to engulf you all.
You can out race it, but you'll have to move fast.
Kragg looks to see the direction the cloud is heading and makes a right angle to the oncoming cloud. No sense trying to outrun it directly away, better to get out of its path. Lets move it fast.
Hannarr hoofs it as fast as his dwarven legs will carry him.
Following Kragg's wise decision to avoid the path of the incoming cloud Ulfgar joins him scanning the landscape, looking for the most direct path out of it's path.
any game trails to speed their departure? -just beautiful -.-
Survival roll not much help here either.
"That way!" Anka points, knowing that motion is at least as important as planning in avoiding the onrushing spore-cloud.
Alas, the spore cloud proves impossible to predict, and the group is engulfed within it. Violet in hue, you find yourselves besieged by it...
You hear voices, whispering all around, though no lips move,"Nothing ever changes. All is as it is, and will never be more, or less. You will just be. Be with us. Join us." You feel a stiffening in your fingers and look down as your right hand begins to turn into stone as well. You can't move, and it's spreading!
"Assistant Professor?" One asks, "Are you alright?"
You try to reassure them all will be well, but instead of eloquence, or even basic dwarvish, you babble and gibber meaninglessly at them. Confusion covers their faces. "Sir?"
You try again, but once more, you make random noises. You can't speak languages, any language. You can't make sense of the written word. The students begin to back away nervously as if you've gone mad. You can understand them, oh yes, as they talk of you having gone feral, or insane, or both. The word 'imbecile' comes up more than once. To these accusations, you have no defense that you can communicate. You are cut off by a wall of ignorance you cannot, try though you might, surmount.
You do so, eying the minor injury, and assure him he'll be fine, only to see your own hand that you touched him with is covered in sores and bleeding welts. The man you helped smiles, withdraws his arm, but now it too is covered in the same pox. He takes two steps, and dies! You back away, and bump into another dwarf. She coughs, and breaks out! You are a healer with a plagued touch, a shepherd who kills his flock!! Stripping your garb you find the spots of disease on you, and you grab a sharp knife. You have to cut it out, with precision, with exactitude. You have to cut the welts out of your skin! It's the only way to save them all.
"Why not, it's a useful puppet, it does whatever we want it to do." Another says, this one carrying a marionette that resembles you , a wooden toy on strings. She makes it take a step.
You take a step.
She makes it hold a hand out to the side.
You stick your hand out to the side.
"It's fun!"
"Yes it is. But then, it has no choice but to be."
You move when they allow, you dance step by step like a toy being guided by a cruel and uncaring child. And one word rings through your mind.
It. It. It.
You call the warning as you spot the ambush, battle is joined! You swing your weapon, as you and your fellow dwarves cut down green skinned bastard and gray hued brutes . They stab with rusted weapons. They slam with spiked shield. If disarmed, they try gore you with tusks! You take wounds, that is not new, but in the end, you make your way to their largest member, a scar faced savage with mottled green flesh that looks as rough as leather. Dwarven beards adorn his belt as trophies. He thrusts at you with a barbed spear, you bat it away with your own weapon. It's a battle for the ages.
Until you finally shatter his skull with a well placed blow.
You turn to grin at the others.
"He killed Ulfgar!" One shouts, one of your kinsman! "That damn orc killed Ulfgar!"
Confused, you look down at the body of the fallen orc, only to see your own body, with broken skull fragments amid the brain splatter.
There's a spear in your mottled green hands. A belt of dwarven beards around your waist.
"Kill him!" The dwarves you call kin and comrades charge forward. You howl at them to stop, but it comes out as orcish threats!
You have become the foe and the real you lays dead...
As the violet cloud envelops the group, Hannarr drops face first into the muck at the base of a particularly large mushroom and covers his head with his arms. The only other thing he can do is hope the others found some cover too.
Fort save
Kragg hurries to the right only to hear that Anka is calling him back to the left. Turning back he realizes too late that it didn't matter they were both wrong ands the spores were on top of them. Holding his breath till the cloud passes Kragg is able to weather the effects of the spores. Yet he still feels the affects of the spores, even if they are minor and he is able to overcome them. He backs away from the group as he waits to clear his head completely.
Dolgrin flinches away from the spores, they irritate his nose.
Managing a final deep breath before the spore cloud overtakes them, Anka seems similarly unaffected.
The spore cloud engulfs the ranger before he has had time to cover his mouth completely. Turning towards the others surrounding him, he pulls his faithful hammer to hand, swinging it back and forth.
"Aye I killed him, but ye'll not be killin me" Looking at a spot on the ground as he speaks
Surrounded by enemy he opts for total defense until an opening presents itself.
Uncertain of how to respond to Ulfgar or what he is talking about, Kragg slowlyraises his hands to show they are empty. Take it easy Ulfgar. What are you talking about? Who did you kill? If it is the Drow then rest assured we all had our part in that. It was horrible but necessary. Remember why we are here and that will help you. Our brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, nieces nephews and cousins are counting on us. Do not be ashamed for what you have done. We are going to hurt you trust us.
Dolgrin moves towards Ulfgar, he says The Dragonbone may need to be restrained.
Hannarr picks himself up and shakes himself clear of the thick layer of spores that covered him during the brief but violent spore storm. Well, that was unpleasant. Did everybody else...oh dear.
He sees Ulfgar brandishing his weapon and looking wild eyed at the others. At Dolgrin's warning he starts to quietly circle around Ulfgar.
Ulfgar continues to watch the others warily, turning to the left and the right but never letting Dolgrin leave his sight. "I said you're not gonna take me! You should run, while you still can.
BTW Ridge I have not read this spoiler
Ulfgar, you misunderstand us. We are not here to hurt you. We are your comrades, fiends and allies. We are here to help each other. If there is some malady that is affecting you then let me help you. Kragg walk slowly forward with arms raised up and weaponless. Let me check you out and see if I can heal you of this sudden madness.
Intent is to get close enough for a heal check if possible.