The creatures look at eachother as Desula speaks to them in their native Aquan, as far as they can tell. Then the larger one begins to tap it's foot in the muck sendig out ripples. In the distance another than had heald back does the same. It says to Desula
"Heh, well we can see, seeng as yer enemies of the skum. But they live is bad parts of the swamp with thick roots and mire, not good fro striding on.
then after a few moments he says, The mother is intrigued. You will come with us and surrender your weapons at the walls he informs Desula, mater-of-factly. The Bogstrider brooks no argument.
The striders will lead you in formation toward the "gates" There is a simple palacade of sharpened stakes driven into the mud, and lines with cracked obsidian twisted into them running along the perimeter of the community. the gate itself is a board attached to the stakes that a few striders move away from the hard-set wall. There your gear will be claimed and the strider tells you he will take you to the mother.
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Des turns to the guys as they walk and says in common "They are taking us to their leader, but we have to leave weapons at the wall over there. I'm sorry Kalagan, it'll be for just a moment. *Be vigilant though*.
He is quiet delighted that the prisoner are so loose with their lips. Des hearing the muttering of enslavement and mothers, feels a slight twinge for home and a comfort here.
Stupid savages, have yet to feel the sting of a drow inquisitorial force. Surviving here may be simpler than expected.
Des scans the strider forces, Though I wonder if their mother is as agreeable as mine?
Victor hugs his crossbow tightly
" Are all of us going in?"
The bog-strider glares at Victor, and points at the ratling's crossbow then to one of the guards taking weapons.
Then clicking at Desula says, If the rodent is to enter it must give up that contraption. No weapons are to be allowed in out walls!
Victor pouts and unstraps the crossbow.
"fine.but take care of the bow. IT'S A RELIC"
Victor emphasises his point by bowing before handing over the weapon.
Thoyoitu stays on the outskirts of the camp but tries to keep an eye on where they are heading while staying hidden.
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Desula translates for Victor, "He agrees, but know this. It is a sacred relic of his people, a thousand curses fall upon he how would keep it from the fuzzy people."
"I trust you will honor our parley, and keep it safe."
He says the last part offhandedly, as he is rather distracted by how well fortified the community. Definitely a step up for cave dwelling or beach combing.
Tzardüsk gives up his weapon with no reluctance.
Thoyoitu waiting outside the area, the others are ushered into the camp. Unarmed, they are taken before another Bogstrider adorned in ceremonial armor wearing heavily rune covered bone bracers and wearing finery of malachite and quartzite and other pretty rocks.
Before Desula has a chance to explain your situation to the creature and guards it speaks in a strange female voice, in the common humanoid tongue. "I care not for your kin and kind. You orc raid out territory, killing my children and taking out prey and game. We are able to face these vile skum easily, they are slow and stupid, and must come to out lands to take out people where we have advantage. My warriors tear their kind asunder.
they have no need of my children, they can only breed with you Half-human creatures, and out meat is not appetizing to them. But they have taken something precious to my people. A symbol of peace and I will have it returned. For this is will make use of you orc-ling and strange creature-friends She seems to be aware at least of what has been told the other striders, likely communicated. You will do this for me
Tzardüsk listens and sighs at the mention of orckind causing problems for these creatures, knowing it is not his own doing, but still likely true. "What is this symbol you speak of... we must know what it looks like to recover it for you and treat it with the respect it is due."
Victor pokes Desula, hoping to get the wizard to stop giggling.
the queen looks askance at Desula as he giggles, but then turns to Tzardusk. It is a pole with a gilded Kobold skull on it. The Kobolds of the cave have a pole with one of our kind's skull as well, marking the last deaths in our blood-feud. It's theft shames us and insults the sacrafice of the wyrmling that died for the peace. Yet the lands in the skum's terratory are not lands we are well-suited to travel. Not enough water... the queen says.
beware the Kobold of the Cave tho, bot if they see you with the skull, they may nto give you time to explain your intentions with it, and they can be vicious and clever little creatures.
"Alright then, it appears we have a mission to find this totem and return it here. We will as you advise be cautious of the kobold folk." He looks to the others to see if anyone else has anything to add.
Thoyoitu keeps watch on the group from a distance.
I can send one of my soldiers to take you through the swamps to their territory. Our sentries will find you if you escape alive and will return you us if you manage to acquire the standard. There are many dangers in the waters, but our kind can detect movement at significant enough distance to prevent ambush and often time enough to avoid an encounter altogether. the queen assures you.
As for supplies, we are not in a position to give anything away. Our foraging parties have yet to return but you seem well enough equipped. The way is not easy for your kind, even with guides and the hour is growing late. You may take refuge here, or make begin your journey now. There are cashes and hiding places our scouts and raiders use in the direction you are headed so sheltering should not be a significant challenge regardless
"well" victor begins, looking up at the sky
" i appreciate your kind hospitality but i'd prefer to get moving. The faster we leave, the faster we get to the relic right?"
"besides, i really want my bow back"
He mutters.
"I don't mind traveling a bit and camping elsewhere, but we should be cautious doing so and set good watches." Tzardüsk shrugs, not caring whether his weapon is returned really as using it is not his greatest strength. "But if that is our plan, we should get moving immediately and get as much travel as we can in while there is light."
"Alright then... a slight delay shouldn't be a problem."
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Des in Aquan, "Most Illustrious One, you would do us a service if you allowed us to talk to your Skum sympathizing prisoners. We will share whatever we learn, and I promise to lead them only half way to death's door if you need them some what whole for later use.
Des turns quickly to Victor, "Do you have any acid on you?"
Thoyoitu keeps an eye on the goings-on inside the camp.
I do not know about sympathizing with the skum, but we have enslaved some of their prisoners. Them you may attempt to speak to, but they are not good for much, the queen says, tapping her fore-leg in the water. I would rather you not damage them further, so no acid will be needed. They will follow orders such as they can, and you may learn what little they know
When you are ready a guard will escort you to a group of ragged looking humanoids, all at least some portion human that are huddeled together, bound and guarded by other Bog-striders.
their eyes are wide with fear, having been dragged from their tasks for some unknown reason, and they are unsure what your strange group's presence could mean for them.
The prisoners look at each other briefly, one appraising Desula replies in the unfamiliar dialect of the Kahn We were, each of us, taken by raiders at one point or another, locked in pens. The Striders attack the Skum in their lands when the rains come and they can run across the floodwaters. Their mud huts wash away in the lowlands but they make do, forcing people like us to rebuild for them. They keep their cages suspended so their slaves don't get washed away if there is a sudden flood and they kept us bound so we couldn't flee. But ropes and vine only, easy enough to chew through, She informs you, giving you a grin showing a maw of teeth filed to points. Place is just a bog, hidden paths and pits all over, change all the time. Skum mark out paths for us to walk, but can pull stakes easy in case someone shows up on their turf.
What's it to you and yours? she asks. SHe appears to be blocking some of the other prisoners swill cowering, but this woman is a warrior who may be able to give soe decent tactical information.
I don't know about their numbers, exactly... They gather in mass when they raid, but then they split up into smaller groups of 3 to 6, them, the Goblins, and other... Things... Live in those swamps and big groups are hard to support. I never seen no leader, but there's got to be someone that commands their raids and cows their goblins she notes.
the markers are stakes tied with vines, so when they pull em, all the stakes come up, and the holes fill in real quick. If you got a good eye and are taking a good look, you can see them. There's also plenty of traps too, mostly pits and sinkholes they hide.
The woman shivers at the thought of the Other Things, finally showing fear. Creatures, Don't know what, but it moved under the surface like nothing that i've ever seen
Two Bogstriders stand at the gates to join the party as guides.
Having been warned of things moving below the surface of the swamp, Tzar is cautious as he moves forward... He is glad of the short wait while Thoy rejoins them as it gives him more time to watch the surface of the swamp, looking for signs of things moving below. When he CAN tear his gaze away from the swamp he looks up at Des with concern, then at their guards/guides. "How far are we going before we camp?"
Thoyoitu sneakily merges with the group, "I overheard what was going on. Bird hearing and whatnot. Tzardusk, you keep watching the swamp as we move along. I'll lead and check for traps. Pyre should probably stick just behind me, check for natural hazards. Sound good?"
Thoyoitu, go ahead and roll 3 perception checks for me, please.
The party gathers their gear and sets out!
As Tzardusk looks across the swamps, he notices what appears to be solid ground ripple as the party passes. Thick peat-moss covers thick mud that looks like solid ground but would suck anyone steeping into it down. Whatever is moving through the muck looks like a snake slithering and swimming, submerging and rising. Watching, tho, It appears that there are more than one serpent and the movement is unlike anything the halforc has seen before, oscilating and writhing, nearly surfacing only to disappear into the sludge and arise elsewhere, the ground looking like it is breathing. As quickly as it began the moment stops.
Tzardüsk points out the movement under the water to the others and stops momentarily to watch it... When it stops, he moves on to keep up with the party... "They were right.. something big lives under the swamp... "
Thoyoitu does notice the moving . . . something . . . under the dirt, but doesn't see it again, and doesn't see any traps or watchers on the way.
Thoyoitu realizes their language is more complex than he previously thought and is unable to decipher it at this time. Maybe with enough "experience", he'll be able to learn it.