"Well, sh**. This makes it tricky to avoid killing the damned thing, doesn't it?"
Kilarra sighs as she pulls a set of potions out of her belt pouch and hands one to Ruel. "Still got that potion of invisibility I gave you? Drink that and then this one. After that the dinosaur won't be able to find us."
With a smirk Kilarra adds, "I hope you're good at dodging while drinking."
Bloodied and battered, Uruelleth accepts the potion with an uncertain look. "Drink your own," he says as he casts a spell that causes a variety of duplicates to appear around him, then he moves moves away from Kilarra deeper into the undergrowth, hoping the dino will pursue him and not her.
Kilarra and Uruelleth exchange a quick conversation and some quick potions. From beneath the tree, they’re shielded from direct view by those outside of the valley, making Uruelleth’s mirror images not an immediate disqualification.
The tyrannosaurus bears its teeth as saliva drips down to the ground. Then it moves to strike.
Unfortunately for Uruelleth, the dinosaur picks the closer target and bites Kilarra, clamping its massive jaws around her waist. Its teeth and Kilarra’s waist are soaked in blood once it pulls away. The dinosaur looks eager to strike again.
-----
Up close, you can see that the woman hides two sawtooth sabres beneath her cloak. Her clothing is rather plain other than the nice mithral chain shirt she wears beneath her tunic. The young woman's blonde hair is her most striking figure. Talia doesn’t recognize the woman from any of her visions.
Talia ensures that the woman is tightly bound, before stripping her of mostly all her items and clothing. Talia considers it a bit of overkill, but she doesn't want to give this woman an easy escape. The object though wasn't really humiliation, so Talia swapped clothing to ensure the woman could still be covered up.
That said, while effectively giving the woman a detailed search, Talia tries to check to see if the woman had anything else other than Mithral armor and sawtooth sabres - something that would hint as to whether she was an actual Red Mantis agent, or someone that just used similar weapons.
Talia signals to the warriors to take the woman to a more isolated spot, perhaps a kobold hut or something that could still be easily guarded and surrounded, but less out in the open like in the middle of a forest.
"My name is Talia, what is your name?" the shaman asks curiously at the tied up figure when the surroundings are a little more secure..
Seeing the T-Rex take a vicious bite out of Kilarra inspires a sudden change in tactics for Uruelleth. In an instant, the rage grips him. Kilarra's potion is dropped to the jungle floor as he grips his falchion two-handed and charges the massive dinosaur.
After having her entire mid-section torn open by a massive dinosaur Kilarra curses in pain. Seeing Ruel charge into the fight she smirks, "What happened to 'not killing it'?" With a grunt of pain she draws her bow. "Aww, f*** it."
Not sure how far the creature can reach, Kilarra tumbles backwards and hurries out of the way of the tree so she has a clear shot on the dinosaur. Then she fires an arrow from her bow at it's eyes. .
But she has trouble drawing the string back through the pain.
Kilarra tries to dodge back and out of the way, but she’s not nearly agile enough to avoid the tyrannosaurus’s ire. His maw stretches toward her once more, but he’s repelled by the tree limbs and Ruel’s tall form.
Upon reaching her destination, Kilarra fires off a shot, but it bounces harmlessly off the tyrannosaurus’s thick hide.
Uruelleth rages and charges forward, determined to end the dinosaur’s threat. His blade cuts so deep and with such force into the tyrannosaurus’s side that it causes blood to splash onto the bloodrager. The gigantic dinosaur looks severely weakened by the blow, but is still standing.
The dinosaur roars, shaking the ground, trees, and Kilarra and Uruelleth. It stares at Ruel for a couple heartbeats before extending its jaws once more and clamping its teeth around the elf. Only Ruel’s rage keeps him standing.
His blood mixed with the beast's, Uruelleth's rage is the only thing keeping him on his feet after the vicious beatings he's taken from the trial. His only hope was to keep attacking the monstrous dinosaur.
Making his best speed while flying, he attempts to close in on the escaping one and he tries his spell once more. As before he focused his will and giant sparking snowflakes and ice crystals formed all around. With a thought he sent them swirling down below to surround and bamboozle the fleeing figure.
Spell slots used: 1st: 1/8, 2nd: 1/7, 3rd: 1/6, 4th: 2/5
Buffs: Mage Armor (5 hours), Wandering Star Motes (8 rounds), Fly (11 minutes), Heightened awareness (1 hour)
Resources used: Urea Power Component: 33/40, Tangle Burn Bag: 1/3, Haste wand: 9/10, Daylight wand: 1/10
Kilarra takes a step to the side and fires a pair of arrows at the dinosaur.
Kilarra fires two arrows at the tyrannosaurus, but only the first pierces its hide. The dinosaur appears to be no more than mildly annoyed by the slayer’s attack.
Uruelleth, still raging, slashes at the beast again. His first blow lacerates one of the tyrannosaurus’s thighs, but the dinosaur still stands. The elf’s second blow also strike trues, this one managing to slash through the thick hide of the tyrannosaurus and covering Uruelleth in blood once again.
The dinosaur looks at Ruel with hate-filled eyes. Then it opens its mouth to reveal bloodsoaked teeth. The tyrannosaurus prepares to lunge at the bloodrager to deal a death blow, but instead it sways in place, its eyes roll back in their sockets, and it goes crashing to the ground.
The dust cloud from the beast’s fall completely covers the part of the valley where Kilarra and Uruelleth stand. The kobolds watching on the valley’s edge can’t see anything for several moments.
When the valley clears, Kilarra and Uruelleth still stand. The tyrannosaurus doesn’t. The jungle trees surrounding the valley have stopped shaking and no more dinosaurs emerge to traverse the valley.
One kobold begins cheering. Then another. In moments, the entire tribe breaks out into cheers. Two tall folk have survived the trial. Two more have become Trampled.
-----
The second figure halts in its tracks, dazed by Talivar’s spell.
With the fallen foe, Uruelleth roars in triumph as the rage and bloodlust surges through him. But as the battle is over and there are no more enemies to fight, his wounds catch up to him. He turns to walk away from the fallen T-Rex, falters a step, then collapses.
Talivar carried a length of silk rope in his pack, he rarely had occasion to use it but now it seems it was going to come in handy. Rather gruffly Talivar warned his captive, "Stay put and don't resist and I'll see that you're not harshly treated. Try anything and the gloves come off, understand?"
Up close, Talivar can see that the second person is a man. As the sorcerer approaches, the second cloaked figure manages to break free of his spell. It looks like he's readying to run again.
Kilarra leans down over Ruel, pulls out a potion, and pours it down his throat.
When he cracks open his eyes she smirks. "You're not done yet."
Kilarra holds out a hand to pull Uruelleth to his feet then wanders over to her potion he dropped near the tree. On the way she nudges the T-Rex with her boot. "Nice kill."
When she reaches the tree Kilarra sifts around for her potion and puts it back in her belt pouch.
Ruel is revived by Kilarra's potion, the slayer refusing to let the bloodrager die.
A large procession of kobolds create a sizable dust cloud as they make their way towards the pair. They all look eager to meet and greet the triumphant Trampled.
The tribe seems to have a sense of order and tradition as they come to a halt a short distance away to allow three particular kobolds to make their way towards the pair.
You recognize one of them as Pixxiv. The other two are unfamiliar to you, but are painted even more brightly than the rest of the tribe.
Pixxiv offers you a wide smile upon arriving, but lets one of the brightly colored kobolds speak.
"I one of tribe's dinosaur whisperers," the kobold says in broken common. "I heal before you talk."
The other brightly painted kobold nods along with the first. They look prepared to offer any healing you two need.
Pixxiv, still smiling, adds, "I paint bright as sun when you healed. You big deal in tribe now. Get use to it."
-----
Talivar scowls when the man seems to break free of his spell. He was hoping to take this one alive if he could, although he was beginning to run out of options. The question he had to ask himself was how bad would it be if this was one of them and he got away? Possibly quite bad. Was that enough to condemn him? Hard to say.
Empowered by his flight spell, Talivar swooped ahead in the direction the clocked figure was running, before trying once more to disable him. He cast the same spell, his only realistic chance at taking him alive. So once more focused his will causing giant sparking snowflakes and ice crystals to twinkle as they formed all around. With a thought he sent them swirling down below to surround and dazzle the man.
Spell slots used: 1st: 1/8, 2nd: 1/7, 3rd: 1/6, 4th: 3/5
Buffs: Mage Armor (5 hours), Wandering Star Motes (8 rounds), Fly (11 minutes), Heightened awareness (1 hour)
Resources used: Urea Power Component: 33/40, Tangle Burn Bag: 1/3, Haste wand: 9/10, Daylight wand: 1/10
The cloaked figure halts in place once more, Talivar’s spell dazing him. The sorcerer has managed to close the distance by the time the figure halts the second time.
Uruelleth wakes with a start, the taste of healing potion in his throat. He focuses after a moment on Kilarra and finds himself happy to see her smirking face over him.
"Damn right it is," he says with a grin as she helps him up.
He turns to watch the approaching kobolds warily, in case they were hostile for him killing the T-rex. But they seemed suitably impressed with his handiwork and let the shaman tend to his wounds.
"Hmmph" grunted Talivar in annoyance as he quickly tied a double boline knot forming primitive handcuffs. As quickly as possible he pushed one arm through and drew it taught. Using that as an anchor he pulled the other arm behind the man's back and drew it taught before flying ten feet up which caused the man's arms to be raised up painfully behind him.
"Follow me." ordered Talivar before moving in the direction he last saw Talia.
The dinosaur whispers are quite effective and soon all of Kilarra and Uruelleth’s wounds vanish. Pixxiv then puts sets of armor on the slayer and bloodrager that look like what the Thunderscales wear, except these pieces appear to have been specially made to fit the pair’s larger forms.
Pixxiv then gets to work painting the armor as she said she would. Much of the painting is reminiscent of the patterns and colors you’ve seen Makkatat wearing before. The kobold seems quite happy to be painting the both of you.
About a half an hour later, once you’re healed and painted, Makkatat hobbles forward with a large grin on his face. He’s wearing a similar set of brightly painted armor.
His arms open wide and he says, “Well done, my fellow Trampled! Now is your chance to make a favorable first impression on the tribe in your new role. I’m sorry to report that your two companions can’t join us just yet. They and some of our fighters are dealing with a couple intruders. But don’t you fret! This is a time for celebration. There will be much feasting and drinking to be had. But first… you must give your Trampling speech!”
The tribe, who had up until now demonstrated a surprising amount of restraint in how close they approached Kilarra and Uruelleth, now surge forward, surrounding the pair. The Thunderscales, in unison, begin to chant, “Tramp...led! Tramp..led! Tramp...led!”
The chant reaches a fever pitch before the tribe falls silent, almost at the exact same moment. All eyes are on Kilarra and Uruelleth as the tribe waits for them to speak.
-----
Talivar secures the second cloaked figure using his knowledge of sailing ropes. The man seems to stop trying to flee entirely once Talivar ties him up. He simply follows the sorcerer’s orders and goes where he’s told to.
Talivar is happy to let Talia take the lead for the interrogation. Still flying he asks Talia once he'd linked back up, "Could you disarm this one? I'll make sure he doesn't get any ideas..."
As Talia questions them, Talivar keeps an eye out from trouble.
Uruelleth steps forward, snarling inwardly. You could have told us before the test that we'd have to give a speech, he thinks hard at Makkatat. He holds up his bloody sword triumphantly.
In Draconic, he begins. "I am Urug'dash the Trampled!"
"I have survived the three-horns, pushed through the tall-necks, chased away the small biters, and was not carried away by the fliers. And the biggest was not big enough!" He waits to see if that earns him any cheers.
"Just like the dinosaurs, the bugs -- the Mantis -- on this island will not kill me. But unlike the dinosaurs, they are not sacred! We kill them, and their goblin friends! We will make the Thunderscales the strongest tribe on the island!"
The kobolds fall silent once again as Uruelleth begins speaking. They listen intently as he recounts his and Kilarra’s exploits. As he finishes, the kobolds erupt in shouting yet again, cheering, and clapping, and stamping their feet.
Then the tribe looks to Kilarra, expecting a speech from her as well.
-----
The first cloaked figure, the woman, answers Talia’s question calmly by saying, “My name doesn’t matter. If captured, I am to deliver a message, which is what I will now do. Your efforts are futile. The Mantis will not allow you or a tribe of kobolds to interfere with our operations much less wrest control of Mediogalti Island from us. At this point, we don’t expect you to relent, as you have shown persistence in your foolishness, but you should know that only death awaits you. A silent blade in the night, a fight in the jungle, an arrow from nowhere. One way or another, Those Who Walk In Blood will see to your deaths. That is my message, now do with me what you will.”
The woman remains calm throughout her brief message, then closes her eyes, apparently accepting whatever fate befalls her.
Talivar doesn’t spot any signs of trouble and the second cloaked figure, the man, doesn’t try to escape.
Talia gives a yawn. "If I had a gold coin for every time I have heard that threat, I'd have enough coin to just buy the island from the Mantis. So your message is expected, although a little surprising.
The Mantis believe that I know too much, and yet every self respecting agent has plans to release information in the event of an untimely death - and I'm no exception. I feared more being taken alive to be perfectly honest so in truth your cautionary warning has had the opposite effect, I'm instead gratified at the lack of foresight."
Talia waits for a moment before sighing. "Then again, I don't expect you to know much about how the Vernai think or plan, they don't tend to release information often do they?"
Talia waits to see if her last comment gets some sort of reaction (or not), before progressing.
"Unfortunately, The Red Mantis have lost their way. They had an honorable mandate in the past, but unfortunately the organisation has lost its way. The Vernai discuss things themselves and keep the valued agents out of the loop. The Blood Mistress keeps to herself. Ask yourself, how my friends and I have survived this long? Either the Red Mantis have lost their touch, or perhaps Achaekek is turning a blind eye to your attempts - indirectly ensuring our continued survival."
Talia shrugged simply. "I don't expect you to believe me, but they told you that I was a diviner yes? I don't see the future though, I see the past, I see events that have already happened. How do you think my friends and I know so much about how the Mantis operate? I'm the only one that has seen the original vision, the original mandate given to Ximena herself. I saw the Blood Mistress take power. I saw what caused Lain have a crisis of faith and leave. I know about Project Otataral. Surely you have had questions that you need answers? Surely you have wondered about the tasks you have been given?"
Kilarra, having no idea what Ruel just said, claps her hands. When they kobolds all turn to her she sighs under her breath. "Damn." Blasted speeches. She never liked them. And how did you make a speech when more than half the crowd don't even know what you're saying?
Keep it simple.
Kilarra throws her arms in the air in a gesture of victory, holding her hands to the sky. She lets out a loud bellow then beats her fist once on her chest. "Hear me! We are strong! We are fierce! WE ARE THE TRAMPLED!!" She beats her chest once more and gestures to Ruel and Makkatat. "Together our enemies will fall! The mantis will perish! We will triumph! For WE ARE THUNDERSCALES!!"
She throws her hands to the sky once more in a gesture that beckons the kobolds cheers and signals the end of her speech.
Hearing Talia's words, Talivar decides to twist the knife a little.
Speaking with a mixture of derision and conviction he lays into them, "Pathetic! Look at these institutionalized wrecks, the cult beat all independent thought out of them... The conditioning must have be something fierce. I wonder what they used to get their hooks it, was it drugs and vice? Lost a good mate to Pesh, once you start it's terribly hard to stop. Or maybe fantastical rewards in the afterlife, the delivery of which conveniently isn't the cult's problem. Nah! These two don't know anything. I say we turn them over to the Kobolds to spend the rest of their lives in that underground zoo cum prison they run. Don't worry one day you two wretches will get to meet your so-called god, but I'm afraid it won't be for many many years. Hope you like Kobold chow, it's something of an acquired taste..."
As Kilarra anticipated, most of the kobolds appear to have no idea what she’s saying. They do perk up a bit when she says ‘Trampled’ and ‘Thunderscales.’ But it’s her mannerisms that really sell her speech. As she ends her presentation, the kobolds cheer on command.
The tribe seems to have resonated more with Uruelleth’s words, but are still quite enthusiastic about Kilarra’s presentation.
Once the Thunderscales calm down again, Makkatat says in Draconic, “You heard them! Our new Trampled and yours truly will lead us to victory. We will defeat the monkey goblins and the mantis. Mediogalti’s jungles will be ruled by the Thunderscales.
“Today is the start of something grand. I will not pretend that it will be easy or that it will be quick. Our resolve will be tried. But we are Thunderscales. We have weathered the monkey goblins and the mantis and we will continue to do so till victory is achieved.”
The kobolds erupt into cheers once more at Makkatat’s words. While they continue to cheer, Makkatat leans over to Kilarra and Uruelleth and says in common, “We have much to discuss. Let’s gather your companions and return with the tribe to our Warrens. First we feast, then we plan our war.”
-----
When Talia pauses to see if the Mantis woman has a comment, the woman says, “They tell us what we need to know to accomplish our individual missions. Additional information would only distract. And on the contrary, it wasn’t due to lack of foresight that they appointed you to die. It’s because they recognize that death is the only appropriate consequence for ones such as yourselves.”
Once Talia finishes speaking, the woman says, “Perhaps Achaekek is testing us, but we will prove our loyalty by continuing to oppose you, however long it takes to rid our island of your presence. You speak much of Red Mantis history, but you clearly don’t care to honor Achaekek. The Mantis God brought us to this island, enabled us to build our Citadel, and will soon grant us victory over you and your ilk.”
In a rare flash of emotion, the woman’s face contorts in anger as she says, “Lain had no crisis of faith. He was a heretic and never truly one of us.”
Continuing in a calmer voice, she says, “Once we’re finished with your conspiracy, none will dare cross the Mantis again. I know my task, so there are no questions I need answered. I am a Blood Vessel, appointed for this task. I have done it, so my purpose is fulfilled.”
Talivar suspects that the Mantis woman believes everything he says to her, but she maintains a blank expression. There’s not even the slightest hint that the woman has ever taken drugs. In fact, both Talia and Talivar can tell that this woman has all the signs of being something that can be far worse than a drug user: a zealot.
She replies to him, “As I said, I am a Blood Vessel, to suffer in life or in death will only increase the amount of honor I bring to Achaekek. Prolonging my suffering will only shed more blood in His name. Do what you will.”
Talivar’s words have the same impact on the Mantis man. It’s a bit eery how similar the man and woman’s responses are. Both seem fully prepared to die - or live, but suffer - in Achaekek’s name.
Talia smirked slightly. "I don't believe you. The true followers are with the Blood Mistress - and not throway gambits like the two of you. Chessin is still in the Citidel, and he failed in his duties. Bastien as well. The two of you are expendable agents, and misguided."
"Here, I can prove it to you. Lain was not a heretic. You claim to be a True Believer, why don't you tell me what is written on page 423 of The Red Chronicles, Volume One. Prove to me here and now, that you are True Believer's and that Lain is indeed the heretic that you claim him to be. Or stay silent and confirm to everyone present that your words are empty."
The woman grows even angrier than before at Talia’s latest words. She replies, “How dare you accuse me of not being a true follower of He Who Walks In Blood. I am here today because of my loyalty to him.”
The Mantis looks ready to strangle Talia when she mentions Lain again. If not for her bindings, she would likely try. “The Mantis do not memorize every line of our sacred texts. That’s why they’re written down, so they can easily be passed on. Besides, only the Vernai and the Blood Mistress have access to such secrets. They tell us what we need to know.”
The woman becomes deathly calm before concluding, “Speak of the heretic again and I will rip out your throat with my teeth.”
Exhilarated (and admittedly a little winded) from the trial, Kilarra grins at Makkatat and gives a nod.
[oc]I'm kinda tempted to kill them though, animate them, and then cast like, Control / Command Undead and then have them tell me everything they knew in live. Its a bit evil though.[/ooc]
Talia and Talivar leave the Mantis with the kobold fighters for now.
About the same time, Kilarra, Uruelleth, and Makkatat lead the majority of the Thunderscales out of the valley. Talia and Talivar see the bloodrager and slayer are now wearing brightly painted armor over what they were wearing during the trial. All the kobolds seem quite excited about the situation.
Makkatat waves over Talia and Talivar and says, "It's time to celebrate! Back to the Warrens for a grand feast!"
The tribe, minus a not insignificant number of soldiers left to guard the Mantis, return to the Warrens.
Pixxiv finds all of you again shortly after your arrival and says, "Might suprise to know we have a lot food you taller folks like. Trade lots with city, so get lots of stuff they like. You tell me what want to eat, and I get it for you."
In addition to taking meal orders, the kobolds have a surprisingly well-stocked bar in their market area. Just for tonight, the kobolds have an open bar for any who wish to partake.
When Kilarra realizes they have prisoners she smirks. "Making friends?" she asks Talia and Talivar.
Talivar does a double take when he spots Kilarra and Uruelleth, before quipping "Uh wow, matching outfits! Very nice..."
"Making friends?"
"Yeah about that..." he replied in a harsh whisper, "I know they're bugs 'n' all, but you should have seen the look Talia gave them. Calculating. No use talking to them, but I think Talia intends to rip whatever she can out of em. I'd sooner hand them over to this lot..."
"Its a bit of a work in progress, but I'm sure I can win friends and influence people" Talia responds wryly at Kilarra' question.
"The kobolds should have them under guard, which means that I have several options tomorrow morning if we want to grill them for information. I can use mind control magic to get information out of them, such as where the Citadel is, how to enter, even how Alayna might be faring. Work case scenario, I could try and kill them, and then bring them back as undead creatures, and then try to Command / Control them, but such an act would be pretty evil, something I'd prefer doing so only as a last resort."
Talia finds herself on a boat. It’s nighttime, but an almost full moon illuminates the ship’s deck. The deck is almost completely empty at this time of night save for one look out in the crow’s nest and a pitiful looking figure near the middle of the boat.
On closer inspection, Talia sees that the figure is Jaxira. The half-elf is nearly unrecognizable. Her face is dirty, her hair is disheveled, and she’s wearing little more than rags. Manacles are wrapped tight around her wrists and shackles are equally tight around her ankles. Her skin is red and raw around her chains. An open wound on her wrist looks infected.
In the distance, you hear thunder as the ship approaches an ominous column of dark clouds.
Jaxira hardly seems cognizant of her surroundings due to her current condition. As you continue to observe her, you can see that she’s malnourished. Her ribcage is especially pronounced even through her rags.
Thunder claps again and Jaxira looks toward the darkening horizon. Then it starts to rain. In only a few minutes, the ship's deck is soaked and Jaxira along with it. Dirt streams down onto the boat from Jaxira’s dirty form. The half-elf takes the rain as an opportunity to clean her hair. A slight smile crosses her face as she does her best to lather and rinse using only rainwater. It does little to improve her appearance, but it does seem to make her happy.
As the ship continues to approach the storm, Jaxira begins humming a cheery tune. Then she mutters the words of a song beneath her breath. Finally she sings a melody aloud. Jaxira seems to have quite the talent. Even though it’s only a vision, something stirs inside of Talia from the half-elf’s song.
A heavyset man comes onto the deck a few minutes after Jaxira begins singing. He looks like he just woke up and his hair looks even worse than Jaxira’s. He stomps over to the half-elf and slaps her across the face.
Jaxira falls silent and the small smile on her face quickly fades.
“How many times do we have to tell you to be quiet, stupid girl? No one wants to to hear your idiotic songs. Do us all a favor and shut your trap or we’ll shut it for you.”
Jaxira keeps her head down and doesn’t say anything in reply. Talia can see a streak of blood dripping down from one corner of Jaxira’s mouth. Looking closely, the shaman can also see that the half-elf’s tears are mixing with the falling rain.
“Goldshackle will teach you discipline soon enough. You’ll wish you were back with us once she’s finished with you.”
A shout comes down from the crow’s nest. “Cap! This storm’s looking rather nasty. Might want to rouse the crew.”
“Yeah, yeah,” the heavyset captain replies. “Not like they aren’t already awake from this wretch’s screeching.”
“Captain!” the lookout cries urgently.
The Captain looks in the distance to where the lookout is pointing. The storm is already upon them. What’s more, an enormous wave looms in the distance, higher even than the crow’s nest.
The heavyset man leaves Jaxira on deck as he hurries below. She looks up to see the oncoming wave. Sighing in relief, she forms another small smile even as she winces from the captain’s blow.
The ship begins to tilt violently as the wave crests. The deck’s barrels, crates, and other equipment slide to one side as the vessel is tossed violently by the water. In the moments before the ship is engulfed by the wave, Jaxira begins to sing again.
Then the wave crashes down onto the ship and Talia’s vision fades.
Kilarra's hand goes to her sword. "If they're still here tomorrow," she scoffs. "We should kill them and be done with it."
Leaning over to Makkatat she asks quietly, "Can your guards handle them?"
Makkatat nods vigorously at Kilarra's question. "Of course, of course. We may be smaller than you folks, but we're hardly incompetent. We'll see that they're dealt with appropriately, assuming that's how the majority of the Trampled want to handle it." The kobold says the last part with a smile.
Talivar and Talia hadn't taken part so perhaps their opinions didn't count. Still that didn't mean he couldn't angle for a more constructive resolution. Butting in, Talivar told Makkatat, "That's certainly the most expedient solution. They're a pair of zealots fired up with the certainty and vigour of youth. I would be interested however to see what it takes to break their indoctrination. The weapons of choice for that are time and kindness. It's possible the price might be too high, but I believe it would be honourable to at least try... Besides if they, or others like them, could be turned against the cult there would be tremendous military advantage in that."
"I'm not saying you shouldn't kill them, but I think its worth learning everything they could tell us before we do so" Talia responds in a mild tone, well used to Kilarra's usual reaction.
Kilarra resists the urge to call everyone around her a plethora of names and question their intelligence. Instead she scoffs. Loudly.
"Fine," she grumbles. Turning to Talia she says, "Use your magic to pry what you can from them." Then to Makkatat she adds, "They're all yours before and after."
With a sigh Kilarra turns and starts walking back to the warrens. She grumbles herself to a bit, then sighs a few more times. When Pixxiv approaches Kilarra smirks down at the kobold. "Hey Pixxiv You like the show?" At the mention of food she grins -- genuinely. "I'd kill for a steak if you've got one. Two is better. And some baked potatoes. You got beans and spices or something I can pile on top? Cheese too, if you've got it. Thanks."
At the sight of the open bar, Kilarra grins. "Helloooo beautiful..."
Kilarra proceeds to eat and drink away her worries, partying with the kobolds and whoever else wants to join her. Later in the night she pulls out her deck of cards and dice and attempts to teach the kobolds some gambling games -- admittedly the liquor and language barrier make the resulting game and rules more than a little inaccurate...
She heads to bed with Ruel at the end of the night -- if he's willing -- or alone with a nearly empty bottle of rum if not.
Uruelleth had fallen silent upon returning and finding out that the others of the pact had captured a pair of Mantis. He pondered about their reasons for even being at the trial, and wondered how much the bugs knew about their activities.
For whatever reason, he felt that their safety was far less with these kobolds than when they were with the Kaneano.
That unease didn't stop him from feasting and celebrating their triumph with the Trial. He still savored the feeling of the T-rex's hot blood gushing over him and the satisfying crash when it collapsed. He kept his head much clearer this time by moderating his drink -- necessary since he found himself doing a lot of translating between the kobolds and the others.
When a very drunk Kilarra propositions him, he moves to pick her up and throw her over his shoulder but has to stop before he crushes her against the low ceiling. He then switches to a more classic two-armed carry with his arms at her back and knees and takes her to the bedchambers.
Talia finds herself on another boat, but this one is unlike any she’s ever been on or even seen before. There’s nothing but air above or below the boat and for as far as the shaman can see. The boat has a sail, but also has propellers to help it move. The ship seems to be simply floating slowly through the air at the moment.
Talia hears a scream. It’s coming from below deck.
The shaman goes below to find a human woman lying on her back, drenched in sweat. Her legs are spread apart and two other women encourage her.
The woman in labor screams again, gritting her teeth as she pushes. Several men stand on the outer edges of the room. None of them dare approach the three women.
Another scream is followed by a baby’s cry as the mother finally gives birth. It’s a boy. One of the midwives holds the baby up for his mother to see. The mother gives an exhausted but genuine smile. She stretches her hands toward the child, wanting to hold him.
As Talia gets a closer look at the child, she notices that the baby doesn’t look human, or at least not like any human baby she’s ever seen or heard of. The baby is completely bald and his body is pale and thin. His skin almost looks translucent in places. Complex blue markings swirl across his skin.
The mother takes the boy and seems to think nothing of his peculiar appearance. She holds him tight. The baby continues to cry and Talia notices that the mother’s hair is waving back and forth. This is quite odd considering that there are no windows on this level and the hatch at the top of the stairs to the deck is currently closed.
One midwife places the baby into a wooden cradle while the other assists the mother. The men around the room all breath a collective sigh of relief. They act as if they’ve been through something very traumatic.
The mother leans over and gives the baby a kiss on his forehead. He’s stopped crying at this point, but Talia still sees the mother’s hair move a bit when she’s near the boy. It’s hard to tell if the breeze is constant or merely a gust coming from somewhere nearby. The mother smiles at her baby as she rests her head again.
As soon as they think they can get away with it, the men hurry away, returning to their various tasks. The mother is still smiling at her baby boy as the vision fades.
-----
The morning after the feast, Pixxiv stops by each of your rooms and retrieves you for a meeting with Makkatat. She blushes a bit when she peeks in on Kilarra and Uruelleth.
You find Makkatat much the same as every time you’ve seen him before, though he seems to be in better spirits than usual. He’s studying a map when you arrive, the same one he had quickly stowed when you were last in his chamber.
He smiles and says, “You’ll be happy to know that the two Mantis are still quite secure in our prison hole. We’re prepared to issue judgment, but if you want any say, I’m happy to hear it. Some of you weren’t exactly cognizant to do so last night.”
Makkatat then waves you over to look at the map with him. It’s a map of Mediogalti Island, or part of the island, at least. It appears to be a complete drawing of all the island east of the mountains. Ilizmagorti, the Thunderscale Warrens, and Ilizmagorti are all marked on the map. There are four other spots on the map, which Makkatat points to in turn as he addresses you.
“Now that a couple of you are Trampled, we can properly discuss war plans. And make no mistake, a ware is what we’ll be waging. A single battle won’t be enough to rout the monkey goblins. No, it will take multiple strikes to unseat the monkey goblins’ hold on Mediogalti’s jungles.
“There are five distinct tribes of monkey goblins on the island. They all call Ganda-Uj home, but they still act independently of each other and are each given separate orders by Firesinger. We’ve observed and learned these things through much bloodshed of our own, so it’s time to put that knowledge to good use and make my tribe’s losses mean something.
“The Pulpdrool are the primary defenders of Ganda-Uj. We’ll have to deal with them in our final assault on the city. They’re led by a male monkey goblin named Murch. He’s basically a puppet for Firesinger.
“The Egg Sucker tribe is the one that normally conducts raids on our patrols and have even been so brazen as to attack our Warrens once. They have killed many of our people. A male monkey goblin named Gawg leads them.
“The Knotsnarl are led by a pair of sisters. Or they were, at least, until Lupi was killed a while back. You wouldn’t have had anything to do with that, would you? Anyway, the older sister, Medge, still leads them. I’ve heard she’s developed quite the temper since her sister’s death.
“The Longlung tribe are primarily ship scavengers. They’re the only tribe of monkey goblins that can swim with any level of competency and can often be found along the shore. If a ship begins sinking close enough to shore, they kill any living crew and take the ship’s cargo for their own. They’re led by a female sorcerer named Ruxi.
“The Spikespur tribe is where the monkey goblins’ dinosaur riders can be found. They mostly ride raptors, but I’ve heard they’ve been trying to tame even larger dinosaurs as of late with… mixed… results. Their leader is a male named Poog.
“If we want to get to Firesinger - and have her death mean something - The Egg Sucker, Knotsnarl, Longlung, and Spikespur tribes must all be dealt with first. Only then will I be willing to order an assault on Ganda-Uj.”
Makkatat looks up from his explanation to view your reactions to all this information. He takes a moment to look at each of you before saying, “So… that’s who we’re up against. I didn’t think we’d ever get to a point where we could win the island, until you showed up, that is. Maybe, just maybe, we can show the monkey goblins that they don’t rule the jungle and put a bit of fear into the Mantis in the process. What do you think?
"Before you answer, you should know that if you help our tribe in this, you have my word that should the day come when you march upon the Citadel, the Thunderscale tribe will stand by your side.”