Eskul waits at the top of the cliff looking on as his fellows work towards rescuing the survivors.
Addressing the hired help they brought with them through the portal he starts issuing commands.
Okay staff, break out the tent again I want it setup and prepared to receive our dampened guests. Prepare triage please and have the dogs on a short lead. We don't know if they have animals like this here.
Eskul turns away and lets the hirelings get to work, observing his companions efforts to fish for the flotsam and jetsam.
With some effort your team manages to fish the three sailors out of the water. They look vaguely human, with ebony skin and the same kind of blurring effect as the local wildlife when they move. Half drowned and dazed they don't seem to register that you are different as all as they lie semiconcious on the beach
Adam gets near them, giving them some first aid.
lets put them on some dry clothes and blankets
I don't dare to put them near a fire, as they can dislike light as much as the fauna.
Adam moves into help as well, intoning words, under his breath, that remind him most of happy, healthy people, before helping them out of their soggy, cold clothes.
When the group is ready to head back up the hill, Aspen takes two of the men on his shoulders.
After they get the survivors back to camp, Rallos keeps a cautious eye on them.
As they come out of their stupor they do seem surprised by your appearance, after several attempts at speech it becomes clear that the language is very different than anything that you were familiar with. They do their best to communicate and you get the impression they are trying to express gratitude.
Eskul takes a piece of parchment out and scribes on it "What is your name?" in common and hands the paper to one of the strangers along with a quill.
I can try casting decipher on the paper providing they can read and write.
Eskul explains with a small amount of disdain creeping into his voice.
That sounds like a plan, Eskul
Says Adam tapping annoyingly Eskul's shoulder.
Aspen scoffs at the attempts to communicate, especially when there's a possibly god driven storm coming in. He instead hurries around trying to prepare the camp for the storm: tightening down items on the cart, setting up tents in natural windbreaks or creating them, trying to get a good, warm fire going and water-proofing what he can.
He then ushers the group into a safer, more comfortable spot before giving his complete attention to the newcomers.
Aspen gives Patros a stare that seems to say, "Not in this weather!"
As the storm blows, Adam gets a winter blanket for himself too, and goes to the campfire with the intention of making something hot for the sailors and himself.
how is my mood today, some hot wine with specia or a herb blend infusion? mmm... lets see
The storm itself looks to be headed southward, while the winds do pick up it is clear it will miss you.
The strangers respond to Patros, clearly agreeing with him. "Iso del Netara! Umen, umen." From their own pantomime you get the impression they are fishermen. Unlike the animals they don't seem to fear the fire, and it does dispel their blurring ability as well. Getting a good look at them they appear almost human, with the exception of a strange series of spines along their necks. They are dressed much like any peasant or sailor.
Well, sure that is a good starting point. We can try to learn the local language, as that will be very useful for our business. Now that we have evidence of intelligent life, we must lear their habits and political organization.
Says Adam while serving the hot wine, with cinnamon and clove mixed into it.
After noting that the newcomers could use them, Aspen scrounges around in the cart and looks for a couple of dry oitfits for the sailors to wear. He then digs out an oil cloth or some other waterproof fabric, covers his armor in it and goes outside to keep watch (and pray).
The men warm themselves at the fire and make exclamations at the drink that gives the impression that your drink is not something they have experienced before. As they sit one pulls out an instrument nearly identical to a flute and plays a hearty melody. As you watch the storm pass Aspen you can feel... something... respond to your prayers. It is not the hand you normally expect nor the response you are familiar with but there is something listening.
Sure, as soon as they are ready to the walk, we can go. Knowing about the inhabitants is one of our main objectives, and learning the native language can be a rewarding investment.
Says Adam while sipping his wine cup.
Although the camp is sheltered you can still feel the wind whipping about wildly above. Though the storm passes by within an hour the winds stay fairly wild.
Startled out of his prayers praising the fearsome-ness of Gozreh's storm, Aspen jumps off the rock he had been sitting on. After a moment of consternation, he starts in a more general, questing prayer, hoping for something more solid or specific.
After the storm has passed by Aspen give one last glance around to make sure nothing has approached the camp before moving back into the camp and trying to help the others. Remembering the group has yet to eat he starts getting a meal ready. He also tries to mime eating to the natives and then gets more convoluted with his gestures, trying to see if any of the local flora is edible.
It's mostly a feeling, nebulous, but there is power there and it responds.
The outsiders seem to understand what you are asking but after looking about the camp a bit they seem to give up.
As the storm clears the outsiders seem to be eager to be off. As they prepare to set off they notice you seem to be indicating you are coming with them and they nod and chatter excitedly.