With some time, the expedition is able to bed down and get some rest. The dark night remains peaceable all the way until dawn, allowing all to rise rested for the continuation of the journey. As the sun climbs, the temperature rises higher than even the last couple days. The yellow and brown of the horizon is an interminable backdrop to the long miles. A few patches of trees slide by, offering little break from the monotony. The lack of humidity offers a solitary comfort as the biting and stinging insects retreat as well. Some open areas are even devoid of the whine of grasshoppers, making for an uncomfortable, even eerie silence.
About mid-afternoon, the party comes upon another small cluster of dry, cracked trees, their leaves motionless in the hot, still air. Humanoid figures can be seen among the withered grasses around the trees, turning to regard the party with obvious hostile expressions. One, a woman carrying a wicked looking sickle, steps forward.
The tone is light and pleasant, a stark contrast to the angry stares of the other Mwangi present. Stuinvolk looks to each of the opposite party, rapidly scanning the band. "It's a Mzali patrol. Best to beat them to the punch and keep any from reporting back." he mutters quietly to the rest of you.
|
Mae smiles and head bobs to the others as they wake while she watches. Her hands and feet dug into the earth with a smile on her face. Sunny lazily munches on some leaves and moist stems Mae dug for her. "Another dawn is here, this one looks especially hot. I will ask the spirits to keep us wet on our travels if you like." She summons in a brief splash of rain on top of herself and Sunny. She casts endure elements on Sunny and uses a wand of it on herself before they head off for the day.
-----------
The hot and dry weather keeps Mae busy, summoning brief rains on those who want it every 15 or so minutes. She and Sunny both seem to really enjoy the moisture it brings.
As the other group comes into view Mae stops and hears a familiar tongue but doesn't understand it. Seeing the sickle she responds in a strange language of her own.
"We are merely traveling through, we are doing our best to avoid your lands. Let this not turn to violence."
The Mzali woman looks at Lady Mae curiously, waving a hand before her.
|
Jeb shakes himself out of his reverie and translates for the group.
Assuming he isn't gutted like a fish, Jed continues, trying to translate for the group as best he can.
A wide grin breaks out on the woman's face as Jeb responds. "Ah, so you do speak like a Mwangi. Perhaps you are more than just carrion to be left for scavengers." She looks over at Stuinvolk as Jebediah explains the situation. "Why is it that I should overlook this trespass? You bring a curse back to our lands when it was safely away!"
Stuinvolk, for his part, glares back at the speaker, listening to Thaia's translation. "They're not going to be swayed with compassion, Jebediah. This is just an attempt to lull us. Say the word and put them down!" The Ulfen's voice rises a bit in urgency.
|
|
Mae's overly large eyes shift back and forth between the Mzali woman, Stuinvolk, and Jebediah as she tries to follow the conversation through translation. If I plan to spend more time in these lands I will need to learn this tongue.
When there is a break in the conversation Mae speaks up to get Jebediah's attention "Will you make my words into theirs so they understand?" She then begins trying to calm their fears that they will defile their sacred lands.
"I am Mae. A keeper and protector of all lands soggy and wet, a druid if you wish to call it that. My friend Sunny and I" She points her webbed fingers at her sluggy friend "Will make sure everyone here respects your beautiful lands. I know how important all things in these lands are to you and to themselves. I live this every day, it is my sacred oath."
And with this Sunny's eye stalks sink back into her head a bit, the sign she is drying out. With a word Mae summons in a bit of rain to dampen her. "If they need fresh water I can provide this also." She says, wiping the moisture around her own dry skin and eyes.
|
Chance looks back and forth between the Mzali woman and Stuinvolk, his normal grin fading as he tries to think of something to defuse the situation.
Turning to the Mzali, woman, he tries to smile his way out of ignorance and speaks in Taldane as if blithely unaware that not all of the world speaks that "common".
I fear that while I know a great deal about the medicines of the jungles, especially those of far Tian, I know little of your people save the rumors. Would you be neighborly enough to tell us about your traditions and customs?
Thaia and Jebediah offer the Mzali leader the proper deference to Walkena's edicts and show that the party intends no trespass. Jebediah is able to fill in much of what Thaia isn't, explaining the Society's respectful treatment of Mwangi sites and relics.
"You're just going to TALK to them? The ones that butchered good Pathfinders for no damned cause?!" Stuinvolk begins to shout, clearly distraught at the sight.
|
|
Naevys addresses the Mzali. Please don't be alarmed by Stuinvolk. He's distressed by the curse and has been not himself. We are trying to help him, but as mentioned, would like your permission to pass through your territory to do so. We will disturb as little as possible and hope this and all future interactions between your people and the Society can be peaceful.
Stuinvolk starts, looking down at the halfling, the wildness in his eyes abating. He looks to the rest of the party and nods. "Of course, you are correct." he agrees, still tense but now waiting for the negotiations to continue.
"You speak well for outsiders. I think you will not be staked out for the buzzards this day. Although it would solve your curse." She grins wide at this, setting Stuinvolk to shiver a bit. "I am called Nkechi. This curse creature is of little concern to me, as long as it is not within Mzali lands. Where does it lair?"
|
|
Jed grins and bows slightly. ”Thanks fer sparing us, Ncheki. I’m called Jebediah.” He introduces has companions if they don’t introduce themselves. ”We don’t rightly know exactly where this nuno is... but our friend can tell the direction he’s in. We’d like ta pass along your borders until we find the creature. If’n it’s outside your borders, great. If’n it’s not... we’ll have ta pass the time until it comes out. I expec’ it’ll come lookin’ fer our friend jus’ like he’s a’loookin’ fer it.”
|
|
We believe that it is just beyond your lands. That said, we are outsiders here who do not know well the changes which may have occurred over the years in your borders and our guide to the creature we seek is the one who is cursed. We are on a mission to redress a wrong and would not seek to create another wrong by telling you a thing which is untrue, even if we were not aware of it.
Ncheki considers a moment before replying. "How fresh to find intruders so honest. The sooner you find your curse monster, the better I think, so you may return with your skin whole and not stretched on the rocks of the savannah. We shall follow behind to make sure you do not stray into forbidden territory. And if you do..." The grin returns, once again promising horrors.
|
|
I don't think Grippli skin would make good leathers, it is so thin, let's not find out anyhow.
Mae bobs her head up and down a few times to let them know she gets the message. Sunny ignores them completely. She can be pretty obtuse in situations like these.
"What sort of markers can we see so to not go into forbidden territory? We do not wish to cause issue with your lands." She looks around the area for anything that stands out.
"Have you not seen the sun? Although they are not so close to be seen together. I will draw you a map, but you should still take care not to find our spears in your throats."
|
|
Ah, yes... talk like that's why I left the Mwangi in the first place. Jed smiles, once again pleased that his inner monologue didn't accidentally come out of his mouth.
"Thank you, Ncheki, yer guidance is most welcome." While he awaits the map, he moves over to Stuinvolk. "We'd best make yer compass-thing an' see where this nuno is... I don't wanna spend more time here than we have to. They're not gonna put up wit' us fer long, and eventually we'll stray into "their" territory. Or they'll just get bored and kill us."
"I worry they will do it anyway. That they spoke with you is a surprise. I would prefer to be closer, but you may be right." Stuinvolk agrees.
The Mzali approach close enough to watch over Ncheki as she crouches in the dirt with Jebediah. Her finger traces out a rough map of the area. "The river is a good guide, but not always your friend." she explains, marking out a few other landmarks. "You are wise outsiders. It would be a shame to kill you."
|
|
Jed feels something oddly climbing his back as he bends over to observe the map. Before he can turn he hears Mae's soft, distinct voice from over his shoulder "Suns? Oh markings, yes. We will stay in a safe place. Thank you." She says from his back/shoulder area, trying to see amongst the tall folk while battling the glaring sun in her eyes.
She hops back down and bobs her head a few times at the other Mzali tribal members. They must feel as I do hearing so many different languages used in one meeting. She glances at the two ladies of her crew speaking in a dark tongue between themselves.
|
|
Jed pays attention to the map, and then carefully copies it into his journal, annotating it with everything Ncheki says. He flinches when he feels something climbing his back, suspecting a spider, but relaxes when he realizes it is Mae. "Ya startled me," he mutters, but allows her to perch on his shoulder so she can see the map.
"Thank ye again, Ncheki. We would hate to earn yer spears. Safe journeys to you and yer comrades."
to relate the map to actual landmarks
The Mzali move off into the high grasses without so much as a goodbye. Stuinvolk relaxes after a few minutes, turning to Jebediah and Chance with a rare smile. "That was well done. It gives hope for the success of our expedition, most certainly." He looks towards the horizon again, standing a little straighter. "Now we must get to the doing of the deeds."