Eleanor spends their time of rest in meditation, several hours of self reflection and planning pass only to be broken by a sudden shock. An odd ghostly creature appearing within her minds eye.
She turns to find the others begin stirring as well. "So whats our plan? Were we able to learn anything from these guys?"
"Yes, through the aid of magic I was able to understand them for a while. They seem to think we are sky spirits and sent to test them in battle, which they failed. They seem to have a temporary camp that way, and that there is to be some ceremony of the lake. I think we should head to the camp when we are all ready and take our prisoners."
Lotham nods as Nathan finishes speaking.
"Let's make sure they understand what they were about to do." Eleanor says walking over to the two goatlings.
She draws her nail over the back over hand leaving a scratch deep enough to bleed and holds it before the prisoners. She then does the same to each of their hands again deep enough to draw blood. She looks at the sky and back at the goatlings and slowly shakes her head back and forth.
The goatlings protest somewhat and wonder what is going on. Perhaps they feel you have invoked some sort of dark spirit magic on them.
"I guess I'll leave communicating to someone else..."
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The group gathers together and prepares to make way west toward the goatlings' base camp. The two goatlings with you lead the way, somewhat fearfully at times looking back at the group.
Lotham keeps fairly quiet as they travel. What kind of creatures will be here for this test? Will they think we are gods here to test them as well?
Once Lotham can see the camp he murmurs a few prayers to the gods.
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Nathan walks along with the goatlings pointing at things they pass and learning the goatlings words for them and for some actions as they travel to the camp.
Before approaching the village Nathan's hand glows as he touches his chest, activating his Touch of Glory ability (+2 to next Charisma skill check)
Greebins comes up to Eleanor while they make their way to the goatlings' home and purrs, "It is good to see you! I felt bad leaving you behind with such questionable company, but I came across these few while scouting and I got distracted. Then the goats happened, and here we are." He takes a second to groom himself, and continues marching with the group.
Eleanor grins at her catfolk companion. "I understand Greebins, some of them can be difficult to handle at the least. Let's just move forward from here and do what we can for our brothers and sisters."
"Indeed... Tell me though, did the Illithid ever figure out how to make a basket?"
"Q? I don't think so, but he did make us shelters which were beneficial when we were ambushed. Then Xanya's magic slowed them down long enough for us to get to our feet and launch a counter attack. It's just their personalities that are a little..." Eleanor trails off.
. How many arrows did we get with our bows?[/ooc]40 arrows.
Day 2 - afternoon
After walking with the captive goatlings through the thick forest for some time, the group sees them slow. They motion and sign that their camp is ahead. They call out a goatling signal that is responded to.
They advise eagerly that the camp is just ahead.
"Nathan, make sure they know we aren't hostile. We would have a hard time surviving another battle today."
Rechau smiles in a rare display of humor.
"What? I feel fine."
Greebins looks at the hobgoblin appraisingly. "Yes, I'm sure you would be fine, mister nimble. But could you heal the rest of us clumsy oafs?"
"When they swing at you, move." Rechau smiles back. "The secret to combat is hit them with your weapon and don't let them hit you."
And then he actually laughs.
"Heh, my friend, I never knew you had a sense of humor." Greebins begins juggling his blades.
"I am rather clumsy. I am not so sure about oaf, though."
"Yes, not getting hit is the time tested path to success."
Day 2, early afternoon
You are forging your way to the goatling camp, and nearly there, the goatlings having signaled their kin, when you hear the sound of people laughing, clapping and cheering somewhere in the forest to the north.
Most of you look to the sky as well and see large rainbow letters spelling out:
Goats misunderstood
The Goatlings look up as you do and after hearing the cheering and clapping and they begin to talk amongst themselves excitedly, Nathan by now you have learned their words for Sky Spirits and they are repeatedly saying it over and over. They beckon you quickly to follow them to their camp, they are almost running at this point.
Nathan quickly follows the goatlings, holding his bow in one hand but the other free. He asks are we at your camp? in his pidgin goatling. If they say we are he then casts comprehend languages so he can make sure he fully understands what the elders or shamans say.
Eleanor casts Mage armor before jogging to catch up with the others. Might as well be prepared for the worst. "I don't suppose anyone feels like translating for the rest of us?"
The letters are in Common. The goatlings nod yes and hurriedly crash through the forest with the group in tow. The prickly evergreen branches and uneven ground gives way to a small clearing where a dozen goatlings look to the sky pointing, listening and sniffing the air. They all turn as the group comes bursting from the brush and they look to their companions. Nathan is several seconds behind, having paused to cast a spell quickly. He comes into the clearing and the goatlings are exclaiming "Sky Spirit runes! The rainbow spirits are trying to communicate! Listen to their voices!"
There are about a dozen goatlings, several which appear to be older shaman types. Most are armed and actively holding their spears. They eye the party with some trepidation, but make calls into the forest which are also answered by other goatlings near, and from where the letters are coming.
Nathan holds his free hand out open, to show he is peaceable. He then uses his feeble goatling skills to greet the elders.
"We come in peace and wish to speak to you."
The goatlings hesitate and pause, also noting the size of Nathan and Lotham. The goatlings you were travelling with say "Traka and Bavari, we have brought the powerful warriors sent to us from beyond. We were unable to defeat them in combat, although it was close! We struggle to communicate, but that one has magic to understand us."
Traka, or maybe its Bavari, speaks "Is that so?"
Each Shaman stands with a smaller regular goat, a battle goat as you have seen before. Arrayed around them are the other goatlings, in a defensive mode.
"This creature is an ogre, they are the worst of the worst, although we will hear you and them out, for they have not engaged in battle, and if you say they are powerful, we will honor their skills."
The shaman bows before you nodding. "Is it true you can understand us"
Nathan bows slightly to the goatling before speaking and says "That is correct. We can understand you, though replying is difficult. My magic will only last for a small amount of time. And I do agree with you, ogre's are the worst, which is why I try to be as un-ogre like as possible.", or as close as he can come.
"Oh, he is not that bad..."
Lotham watches the goatmen warily. He seems a little unsure if he should watch the ones in the clearing or look for the ones hidden in the trees.
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Rechau watches as Nathan attempts to parley with the shamans. He is still wondering exactly what is meant by "goats misunderstood".
"The elder's are likely more educated then the rest perhaps one here shares a language with one of us?" Eleanor muses.
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The shamans look to each other and one of them speaks. "We wish to know why you have come to these lands, but understand you may not be able to tell us. We can ask questions and you can indicate yes or no."
"Are you here to test us in battle?"
"Will you be leaving soon?"
Nathan looks at the Shaman and answers him in goatling as the questions are asked.
No.
Maybe.
He then looks at Elanor "We can all try any language we know and see if they can speak any of them. I'll try mine first. I'll say 'Can you understand me?' in Abyssal, Celestial, Draconic, Giant, and Infernal they you guys try in any other languages you know."
Once all the languages are tried, if none work Nathan asks the Shaman a question in goatling "You magic?"
"You will already speak in every language I know." Lotham replies.
"Same here." Ellie adds.
The Shamans reply and nod. "We have magic power, but we cannot understand you today. We can do so in one day however. Will this be sufficient time?"
One of the shamans moves off and talks to some of the goatlings who go out into the forest. The shaman returns and also they minister some healing to the wounded goatlings. That goatling says "I have sent scouts to communicate with the other groups and see what has become of the battles."
Nathan turns to his brothers, "They have the ability to use the comprehend languages spell as well, but won't be able to do so until tomorrow. Is that good with you?"
Nathan then looks at the shaman with a sad look and says to him, "Many dead you. Me heal?" and points to some of the wounded.
"A one day wait for more comprehensive information is a small price to pay."
You think the shamans were able to heal most of their warriors to health, but there may be more wounded coming once the far flung war parties return, so your skills will be more needed then.
"Yes, I think this is a good plan."
"A good plan to my ears. What do we do while we wait? Should we make camp with some others in case they try to ambush us in our sleep again?"
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