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“I’m not happy about fighting Jala and his team. If he discovers Isirah and we make a massive (non-violent) fuss, I don’t think he’d have the authority to decide what to do – that would be up to Xol-Nomag.”
Eadie *shrugs* “We have done the Ghost Wolves a huge favor by ridding Sulfur Gulch of its haunts. They’re honorable people. They care about family. They’ve also done deals with the Society in the past.”
“If we ask for Isirah’s liberty as a sentient ANT-roy’s brain in return for what we’ve done for them, maybe Xol-Nomag will listen.”
“So in short, I’ll follow Amy’s lead but I think we should be as honest as possible and not undertake any violence.”
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"I agree," Kai speaks up, still looking troubled. "We were tasked to maintain good relations with the Ghost Wolves. Defeats the whole purpose of resolving Sulfur Gulch matter for them, only to get into a battle." He then holds up tablet-Isirah. "I apologise, Lady Isirah. But if it comes down to that and we are unable to convince them, we might have no choice but to leave you behind. The alliance between the Pathfinder Society and the Kellid tribes is too important. We cannot afford to undermine this bulwark of defence to stop the technocratic threats. But should that come to pass, we will do our utmost through diplomatic means to free you subsequently."
Looking at the rest of the party, he adds, "Perhaps if we could ask for a loan, and see if the Society, with all its resources, is able to transfer Isirah consciousness elsewhere. After all, it is Isirah we wish to liberate, not the tablet."
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"Sorry, sorry, no, no, no, NO. With all due respect, Kai, I don't trust the Decemvirate to be willing to go that far. Are you familiar with the Shadow Lodge? They may be disbanded now, and for all I know, their implosion may have been justified somehow, but while they existed, they existed for a reason. Isirah isn't even a Pathfinder. We don't know what she IS, for that matter - some undefined state of existence. What makes you so sure they won't chalk her off as an 'acceptable loss' - or even categorize her as 'forbidden knowledge?!' NO. She must come with US, by hook or by crook! There is MORE to being a Pathfinder than simply accomplishing missions to the letter like...like common soldiers!"
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Jala approaches you as the other ghost wolves go back to their tasks, which seem to involve gathering a whole lot of loose rocks of all sizes and placing them above the entrance to the nameless ship. "We are getting ready to collapse the cave entrance; we were lucky to have you and lucky that they came out while you were here, but I shudder to think what might happen if more gearsmen, or worse, come stumbling out of there."
He gives you a quick once-over, noting the rod and pulling out his wand which he then activates, focusing for about eighteen painfully long seconds. "Well." he says softly, low enough for only your ears "It seems that you would defy Xol-Nomag's will. Yet your demeanor tells me you did not desire to make out like thieves in the night. If you believe me and my tribe worthy allies, I would ask that you explain to me why some trinket is more valuable to you than our friendship."
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"If I may, Jala, your friendship is valuable to us. I believe this is no mere trinket, but the souls and memories of the people that died in this thing. -Karl points at the stone covered entrance- "Every technological item I found, now belongs to your tribe to destroy, or to learn from"
Karl gives the folded suit to Jara, and now points at the item that Kai is holding. "This is not some technological wonder, a loving person is entrapped in there, and we owe it to her to find a way to release her."
-Posted with Wayfinder
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"We were lucky to have you and lucky that they came out while you were here, but I shudder to think what might happen if more gearsmen, or worse, come stumbling out of there."
“Something worse was in there. But nothing else will EVER be coming out …”
Eadie unbuckles her weapon sheathes and harnesses, dropping her cold iron falchion, Lucerne hammer and morning star into the dust of Sulfur Gulch. She tears off her gauntlets and great helm and tosses them onto the pile.
Still bearing some acid burns on her neck and lower jaw, the warrior slowly and deliberately removes the sword belt holding her adamantine falchion and shoves it roughly into the hands of Jala Spirit-Eye.
“You are fortunate we were here. But not as fortunate as we were to find a living, sentient ANT-roy mind in the metal cave. Without her help, we would not have defeated the Ghost Annihilator hidden under the metal rock. A gaseous spirit that would have destroyed your tribe and perhaps much of the Sellen Hills.”
“The Ghost Wolves owe this ANT-roy woman named Isirah much. In return we just want the chance to plead our case to Xol-Nomag. To explain to the chief why Isirah should be allowed the freedom to join the tribe that will accept her, honor her and offer her the life she deserves.”
“The Pathfinder Society.”
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Amestra touches the jade wayfinder attached to her bandolier for a bit of guidance as she makes her case. She matches Jala's lowered vocal level, to ensure discretion, and mixes some Hallit with Common when it feels right.
"Jala, we brought out the rod and suit in the open, not wanting to hide them from you or the Wolves. We expected that you would not believe us if we said we had come out empty handed," she says, smiling honestly. "But, please, Isirah is a sentient life form that helped save us and your tribe from the horror that was inside. She deserves to be free, not destroyed simply because of her shape."
"The Pathfinders will surely want to work with the Ghost Wolves in the future to help you fight the evils that abound here. I would hope we can find a way for both sides to get what they want today and in the future."
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Karl Sure-eye wrote: Like GM said of the party does not agree I won't do the following My only objection is that this roll should be made by whoever has the highest Diplomacy modifier in the party, and I believe that would be Lin Kai. V blesses Lin Kai in preparation for his upcoming 'performance.' He gets heroism.
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Kai stays silent as each of his comrades plead the case. Finally, he withdraws the tablet and holds it up towards Jala, and speaks to it. "Isirah? Perhaps you could show yourself? I trust it would be best if they could see for themselves the person that yo are."
"My comrades do not deceive. While this tablet, I have to admit, is of technological origins. While fascinating in itself, as per the robes or rod, no material goods in this world equals the value of friendship, such as the one between our Society and your tribe. Nor that of our word. But what we are seeking to liberate is not of material substance but of the soul. This person, Isirah, is a sentient being capable of thoughts and feelings as you and I. Her only misfortune is to be locked in this tablet. I care not of it, but we seek Xol-Nomag's grace to allow Isirah to leave these ruins for which she has been trapped for thousands of years, constantly reminded of the deaths of her friends all this time. Once we manage to free her from the binding of this slab of metal, I would be first to return it back here."
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While Eadie's over-dramatic speech not only attracts the attention of the other Ghost Wolves and seem to tick Jala off, Karl, Lin and Amestra's words altogether soothe his rising anger. "You... Seem to make a lot of assumptions, Eadie of the many weapons" he comments glacially, choosing his words with exquisite care. he shouts back at the somewhat confused tribes-folk. Turning to Lin Kai, he continues for your ears only: "Xol-Nomag only understands black and white, and that is a strength when one must see clearly. But sometimes, one needs to see shades of grey, as I do." He places his hand on the Tien's shoulder as he turns to continue to Amestra. The words you all spoke back at camp had wisdom in them if they were to be backed by strength. You have shown that strength. And in your words today, you have shown that you have compassion. A rare combination. I hope that my decision will not become one I live to regret, but if there is a person in that piece of star-magic, you would be the ones I would trust to guard others from making ill-use of it." In a louder tone of voice, he calls out: "Sulfur Gulch has been explored. May it's evil stay buried, and our ancestor's spirits guard us from it's intent. Come now Pathfinders, I will lead you back to your pickup point. You can camp there without fear of any trouble. We'll stay with you to keep guard. I trust keeping to our customs for a few more days won't be any trouble?" he asks, winking at Kai.
Holgarin Smine is known for being a rather gruff, laconic man. However, one would be excused to think those were lies with the look he has on his face as Isirah replies: "Your organisation sounds like everything I wanted to do aboard our exploratory convoy! Well, minus being in a portable AI Core. Really miss having limbs. But I would love to join your Society!" The venture-captain claps his hands together and even performs the first few steps of an Andoren folk dance.
"Between this and the news of our Ghost Wolf friends, commendations and recommendations for the recovered equipment are in order. Well done" he exclaims, one of the few times you've heard him use a full sentence!