Worried for a moment that the guards were about to use the same restraining collar on Krokkin, despite her earlier outrage, Sorogar quickly speaks up. "W-wait! In his defense, there's a good argument to be made for killing the 'ogre'. It has access to extremely dangerous magic and can disguise itself at-will. It would only take one lapse of judgement for a guard for another slaughter to occur. That said, I don't approve of it myself. We should try and gain what information we can on why they came here."
Glancing around the pavillion for a moment, she then adds: "By the way, from my understanding of civilized manners, it's a custom to give one's names first. Mine is Sorogar, and these are Mosely, Warren and Krokkin. Until now, we've been employed as scouts. And accompanying us as... ambassadors of the Fey here are Grindel and Fireken. Apparently, they are at war with native evil creastures called Firstil. Now, what is your own name and role? Until just now, I was under the impression that the disguised Rakshasha or Ogre we just fought was the camp leader."
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A wry chuckle comes from the commander,Well met. I said be at ease and you took it to heart.That says alot for your trust levels. I was the one that first met you when Baithro was here. I disagreed with moving deeper into the jungle and away from civilization as a caravan. He insisted so I had no choice he is the money man. However, not knowing Gril as anything more than a Ogre of rare intelligence and skill, assigned you to him as liaison. He motions, and chairs and drink are provided for all in short with. "Brek, come join. I was told to expect you soon.Welcome." He motions to the fellow lingering nearby. First let me introduce myself --again-- I am Commander Leasin Crowfellon. As you can see, He removes his helmet and rolls back his"mane" of hair,I am off slight elving heritage several generations back. His ears are slightly elongated and his eyes have a slight silver sheen behind them. We have roughly 200 people on camp remaining functional and atleast 50 that will take several months to heal without magic care. We shall work on healing them as we can seeking the blessings of the gods to do so each day. He turns and looks somewhat hostilely at Grindel and Firekenexplain yourselves! Death and destruction you caused worth the freedom and death that occurred both at your command and the command of the Rakshasha's? I would be with in my bounds as protectorate of this camp to have you deposed publicly.And this time, stay out of my head and use your tongues. I know you understand us or you would not have known Sorogar He pauses is it? introduced you. Also when you tried to talk earlier it was in common even though it was in my head. And my companionhe motions to the elf Speaks Sylvan the language of the Fey.Speak now to be understood by all or cease to be. And just so we are on even footing here, this pavilion is enchanted with two things, a silence spell from those outside, and an antimagic field so your magics cannot work with in.Do not try to weasel out using some cheap magic trick!
Grindel lands on the back of a chair deftly and bows, I do not speak the common tongue. When I speak mentally I "speak" in the language understood by the creature I am speaking with. I hear your answers in sylvan when you think back to me. This is why I did not speak out to those around me. I tried when first captured and new the Ogre understood me. He taunted me several times by muttering curses in Sylvan when no one was very close. The commander's face grows tighter and tighter in anger as the speaker continues. The elvin advisor, sensing the mood of his commander and friend, steps forward and placing a calming hand on his shoulder begins to translate into common.
Because the beast was apparently in charge of many, I assumed and so did my advisors that the camp was all of his ilk. So we summoned in our allies to distract at first so we could escape. When the Firstil began to talk to these, and get to us as well, I grew alarmed and this time called forth the allies to fight instead of distract. We were outnumbered and so we used the Trollovs innate abilities to accurately throw large items to cause death and confusion. We had hoped to kill as many as possible while waiting for Firekin to get us out.He pauses to catch his breath and as he does, Firekin speaks for the first time,I had seen several shifters or as you called them rakshashas or ogre Oni, so I also made the assumption that many of you knew about their abilities and were still amenable to them being in positions of leadership within your camp. Thus the camp appeared to be mostly neutral or evil in their desires so we felt justified to kill when the distraction didn't work. In our defense,most of what we targeted were shifters although I am sure there are some we did not know about or get.He continues From hearing one of the beasts speak once these 4 and the dead fifth defeated it, we assumed that you were being led into an ambush by the "leaders" At some later given notice. I am guessing he takes a drink before continuing that the were going to lead you among the flying ogres in the northshorn mountains and have their underlings destroy or make slaves of all of you.I am sorry that we misunderstood and caused death among your soldiers and handlers. We are not apologizing for killing shifters!We will see that those we injured are healed as our sign of treaty or peace. And will if you are willing, have me remain with your camp as liaison and go between until you clear or lands. Are you amenable to that Leasin?
The half elf listens carefully and with a brief look at his advisor, nods in affirmation.Now finish your story
Firekin mumbles through a swallow We have a realm hole or portal here and have used this land as a burial place for the fey. It has always been protected by us and we first followed you after seeing these He motions to Kronins crew return from a graveyard without any desecration of the place. In fact the guardian of it said they were respectful which is rare among evil people. Thus we followed to get a measure of their intents. We were snared by nets as we got closer to camp and then caged. The oni laughed when he saw us captured and in or bird alternates. With my leader captured I sent for the Trollovs so that we could get her out. They were supposed to put out campfires not kill initially and we dosed them up with a fair amount of illusion to aid in the distraction. The first barrage and charge was almost strictly deception created by illusion. I was unable to get close enough to the cages due to the Firstil and these fellows so I decided a more aggressive approach might give me the distraction I needed. The tent is in quiet contemplation for a moment before Grindel begins to speak and the ambassador translates once again My condolences on the dead and dying.Before we finish this conversation, will you allow my healers in camp to assist? They are trollovs and are somewhat of brutes but several are keenly astute healers. Waiting for an assent or negation from the commander, she pauses looking at each of you in turn.Grudgingly the commander agreesyes but they must have no weapons on them and come only in groups of 2 together at any one time. They will have guards with them and if they go hostile or do not heal they shall die. With a quick motion of his hand he summons one of his personal guard and sends them out to organize the healers. Go on.he commands impatiently. Firekin nods and takes over the tale. I was to sneak in free my comrades and we would disappear. We would observe and distract or attack if you got close to the grave sights. Then SOrogar surprised us and pulled our a peace skull. I would like to know how they obtained it as they can not be taken from the graveyards unless given freely by a guardian. Can we hear that before we continue with ours please?
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Screams of dire agony went up from the groups of soldiers who were near death. Ohime had given them Troll Styptic, a concoction that feels like your insides are being rearranged. Once conscious, the soldiers began screaming in terror and pain. Still, they owed their lives to her. When the order from the commander came down for her to be brought to the pavilion, she wondered if she was in trouble for a complaint a soldier made.
She arrived, being nearly dragged by those under the commander's orders. She was deposited hastily in a side room of the pavilion tent.
"Stay here until called, Old Hag..." the guard sneered as he left the shy Ohime to stand alone. As he leaves, he mutters to one of the other guards who brought her there, "She smells strange..."
Ohime stands quietly with her hands folded over themselves in patience. In the room adjacent, she can see the commander speak up, and being within the magical field, she can hear the conversation that ensues.
In the brief alone time in the empty room, she will adjust her mask and hood from the rigors of battle. Once again she is properly concealed. No-one in camp really has known her other than the old woman, and she has not spoken to anyone except a rare few who needed help with various sicknesses.
Seeing that many of you are still injured, the commander calls one of his guards over. Go outside and bring in a healer. These few need healed."
The guard leaves and once outside the inner rooms of the pavillion looks around. Seeing Ohime he motions to her to follow and then returns to the inner pavilion.
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"I am not a healer...per say...," she thinks to herself as she considers what she is going to do. She has used all of her medical supplies on the commander's soldiers. "I still have that wand."
She will nod to the one who comes to collect her and will follow along. What the group will see is someone with a large robe over them and hood covering her. A mask lies over the woman's mouth before them, allowing only the dimness of her eyes to be seen. For those with low-light vision, they would see her eyes have a golden pinkish hue, and her skin bears a slight rigidness to it, like that of very minuscule, light-pink scales. To those unable to see in darkness, it would be quite hard to discern these things of her.
In all appearances, due to her pack on her back under the robe (which she wears like that on purpose), she seems much like a burdened old woman with a hunch on her back.
Some of these before her are covered in blood, but also show signs of healing. She is unsure of which are injured and which aren't.
"Who can I help?" she asks. Her voice is soft, melodious, and one could guess even youthful, not harsh or old. There is a strange smell coming from her. Not one that is foul, but the smell of lemongrass or citronella in raw form.
Sorogar watched the entire conversation intently, still trying to wrap her mind around all the revelations. "All right, then if I understand everything correctly: You, the Fey, use the lands where we are travelling through as a burial place for the dead. However, you are also at war with the Firstil, who lived here before you came here? According to them, at least," she quickly adds the last bit. "And since you knew there were both Firstil and evil things disguised as Ogres among us, you assumed the entire camp had evil intentions."
She nods to Brek as he is introduced by Commander Leasing, figuring him to be a powerful caster of some kind to be recommended by expedition leader. "After our peaceful encounter with Flit, a Grove Guardian who gave me this skull pendant as a gift to show to other 'guardians' to convince them of our good intentions, you tried to follow us since you didn't expect that from evil entities. The disguised ogre then captured Fireken, and you used your allies to make a distraction attack so that Grindel could rescue Fireken during it. And now, you offer aid in healing the wounded as a measure of penance, which Commander Leasing has accepted."
She waits to see if all that was correct, and looks around to her allies to see if they have any additions or takes of their own, before offering advice or a suggested further course of action. Technically, nothing had been asked of her yet other than clarifying where she'd gotten the skull pendant.
Yes, I agree let's hear how the obtained this skullfirst then we can finish our talk." He motions for the party to speak. Can I see this peace skull while we talk? He askes reaching out his hand to Sorogar.
"With respect, I don't think Flit would approve of me giving this to someone else." Just in case, she looks at the two other Fey in the room for confirmation. "I could show it though, of course."
She reveals the skull pendant but keeps it on herself, unless given explicit permission by the fey.
full height scanning the gathered crowd seeing if he can spot any danger. A fact that is made worse by the nagging thought that he did not know about the Rakashas that were in the camp. He is determined not to be duped again.
As Brek is requested to join the group and comes over, Krokkin subtley places himself between Brek and the rest of the team.
I will be the shield and the Hammer. I will not allow prey to easily hurt us again..
He issues a low quiet growl as Brek comes a little closer, his tail flicking in warning.
He is so focused on scanning for danger that he is not paying much attention to the conversation.
He continues looking around the crowd. As they bring the "healer" out he smells something strange before she appears. He is able to associate the scents to small fruits he learned about on his travels. the sticky sweet juice of which makes his fur matte. The scent puts him a little at ease.
Seeing that no one has answered her he speaks up
I will take your healing old one. He says this in a respectful tone that he has not used much around this group.
He stands stoic as she performs her art.
Into the silence of Sorogar's last question Krokkin seemingly suddenly speaks up.
If a defeated foe accepts defeat, then mercy may be had. If in defeat they proclaim their future revenge, a Predator, he coughs a protector must continue until the threat is removed.
I am a protector, people were hurt, The prey continued to threaten so I must protect my kin.
Brek glances at the Walking talking cat with wide eyes though the growling was abit off putting.
"At ease. Forest Defender." he begins.
"I'm just a wandering User of Magic invited to join the group but if you don't like me for reasons, I could always leave and seek my fortune elsewhere..........." he grins as he puts up his hands to show that he's unarmed.
"So if the Fey and Firstil are having a war, do you not want to broker a peace since the way I see it is that you simply have no one else to meditate between your two groups. I don't know about the Evil ones spoken off though. Are they allied with the Firstil or such?"
We wo;; hand;e the Firstil.THey are not your buisness unless you desire to take one for the menagerie? we could then provide charms to prevent their smoke walking. It is your choice." The two say almost in unison. Then glancing at each other they laugh in fits. Finally they stop and apologize. we just found our same talking as funny. is their explanation.
Before we go on the commander interrupts, as two guardsman come in carrying a bag of items, You took care of the creature you may have 1/2 the gear he was carrying. I believe that is fair recompense. I would ask that you leave the healing to the camp but your's to pick if you desire it. He proceeds to have a stack of wands dumped at your feet. THey are all identified and tagged.
Next he opens and dumps the gear the creature had on it.
It is not her place to speak up concerning the events that had transpired, so she keeps her mouth shut, which is harder to do than many there realize when there are jokes about the imprisonment of an intelligent being. She is of the mindset of Krokkin and would have killed him rather than let him face such an end.
Hearing permission given by Krokkin, she will proceed to the Commander, who she had given care of a number of her draughts in case of his need for them. She picks up a few with his permission and will move over to Krokkin.
In a soft voice once more, she speaks up to him.
"To be perfectly honest, sir, I'm not much of a healer. I am a sorcerer and an apprentice alchemist, but I will do my best."
It is hard to identify his wounds given his dark blood on a surface of darkness, but as she draws close to him, she can see it more clearly.
"Oh...you are quite hurt. I do not profess to be the best at this, but I can apply a Troll Styptic to you and...well...it will hurt a lot, but it will heal your wounds."
If he accepts, she will take out one of the vials and spread it over his fur. As he watches her, he can see that her hands are light pink, like that of a human, youthful, but instead of skin, are covered with almost imperceptively small scales. Once applied, her hands, covered in his blood now, will retreat to wipe the viscous material on the dark black of her robe--a practice that has been done on more than one occasion.
The salve, once applied takes mere moments to kick in and he will feel like his body is rearranging itself from within. It truly is a gruesome experience.
"If you all are needing someone who can use some of those wands, I know how."
Momentarily focused on the coversation with the commander and the huge pile of items deposited for the group to select from, Sorogar initially misses Ohime enter.
"Don't mind Krokkin, sir Brok. He is a growling and still needs to grow past his basic agressive instincts. I assume he means well though, and that he views us as a pack of his that he has to protect," she says, turning around to face the newcomers fully.
Sorogar is an attractive female half-orc, wearing chainmail, a wolf pelt cloak and a large Falchion for a weapon. She has an unusually vibrant green skin tone, milky white teeth and deep auburn hair. It's as if she carries a bit more 'colour' than the rest of the world. The rest of her gear consists of odd trinkets, such as a quaterstaff that ends in a rat skull, and her backpack seems lines with several vials of jungle-remedy potions. On her shoulder sits a bat with glowing blue outlines, who either looks at our hears the surroundings just as focused as his master.
On the other hand, some parts of her skin have been blackened, and look like third degree burn wounds she very recently acquired. At times, she winces slightly when either talking or just moving in general.
'Interesting. Many different herbs for common extracts. Another alchemist? But those other scents...'
She frowns when Ohime admits to not really being a healer. "You're not? But they asked you to heal us anyway? As in, they forced you?"
Sighing, she walks forward to Krokkin and Ohime. "It's fine. I'll handle this. Please relax and stay. You seem very skilled with those poultrices."
Seemingly stunned for a moment at how effective the blue wave of energy coming from the bat on her shoulder is, she then recovers and grabs a patch of the black skin, tearing it off. Below is new, palegreen and unblemished epidermis. "Much better. So... what should we do about these items, then? It seems to me like all the wands are useful and a lot more valuable than the rest."
"No, not forced," she answers, almost with a hidden pain in her voice. "I saw many in need on the battlefield and rushed to aid them. I am here to help alleviate sicknesses and diseases in the camp primarily. That is why I am called, a 'healer'."
There is the sound of a smile on her voice as she responds to the compliments of the half-orc sweetly, "Thank you"
Warren awakes from his stupor on the ground to see new people had joined the group and were divvying up the tiger-demon's things.
Warren approaches them, shaking, "I'm sorry to have to do this. But this isn't for me. I'm not ready for all this, I think I'm more suited to my small town's militia, the piano at the inn, and Rachelle's arms at night. I'm out."
After shaking the hands of everyone who's willing, he mounts Fencer, and rides off into the sunset, playing one last tune on his orphica.
"When that flamin' chariot comes,
I'm gonna leave you
I'm bound for the Promised Land,
I'm gonna leave you
I'm sorry I'm gonna leave you,
Farewell, Oh farewell
But I'll meet you in the morning,
Farewell, Oh farewell..."
The goodbyes and well wishes over, the commander continues, I find it interesting that you were given the skull. It must have been a well taken conversation.
He looks again at the fey,Can and will you provide a means through your dead? We would also like an agreement that you and the trollovs will not interfere as log as we are not desecrating the graves sites. How many days will it take us to pass through your lands if we don't stop other than to rest? We will stay out of the Firstil and your conflict.
You could pass through in 2 days at the pace you have set so far. We will agree to the "treaty" but will also have our eyes on you to help with circumnavigating our burial plots but also because we do not believe you have all the shifters out of your camp. Firekin says.
In fact with Grendel's permission, I will remain with your main encampment as guide. He glances at his companion as he says this with a demure kind of look.
That would be ok brotherkin says Grendel. She stands and prepares to leave. Anything more you need to know my brother can answer. I will leave you now to take word back to my people of the agreement. She "ducks" out of the tent at the commanders nod of assent.
Seeing your numbers dwindle, I am inclined to request you accept Ohime and Brek into your group. They should be good to help with your mission of scouting a way ahead and looking for creatures for the menagerie. Do you object? HE looks around at the party meeting each of your eyes seeking acknowledgement of the request before continuing.
You all may go and prepare to move out for the day. I will keep Firekin here and continue our discussion. he states.
Krokkin stiffens a bit at the foreign touch of this odd creature. He starts to relax as she finishes and then suddenly tenses again while his inside seem to be playing like kittens inside his body. He focuses on his breathing to not show weakness.
He lowers his eyes as Sorogar speaks for a moment and then straightens back up like he had not just shown how her words affected him.
He is startled by the wave of energy that washes over him as he feels his wounds close and melt away
All of these sensations being dealt to his body are starting make him angry again. He looks at the gear and then whispers to Sorogar
I want the collapible plank and the skeleton Key.
As soon as the commander gives leave krokkin almost seems to just disappear, as he leaves the tent as quickly as possible. He heads into his tent and starts packing. the time in there is calming and he is able to regain control of himself. He steps out and continues packing his things.
Ohimè finds it quite unique how the young half-orc utilizes many foreign methods to her to bind the wounds of Krokkin and those injured. Ohimè watches her every movement.
Having faced the recent difficulty, it seems like Warren seems to have had enough.
"A minstrel, I wonder if he too knows sorcerous magic like me? I guess I will never know..."
Feeling useless, she tucks back and listens to Grendel and Firekin until Grendel leaves. The commander commands her and Brek to join up with the scouting group; which is something Ohimè had not anticipated to happen. They are dismissed and she turns to face the new group that may or may not accept her. It seems her choice in the matter is made up regardless as she is employed at the service and pleasure of the whims of the commander in this. Krokkin leaves immediately, which makes her words seem more out of place as the huddled "old woman" prepares to speak.
"I may not be near as good of a healer as you are, but I could be a great help to you all."
She will wait to see what the half-orc and halfling say on the matter. As a matter of courtesy, she also mentions Warren.
"I am sorry your friend has parted ways with you all. That must be difficult."
As the camp begins to recover from the chaos. The order is given for the scouts to headout to their assigned positions. A bounty will be given to whomever finds a creature worth keeping in the menagerie. bellows criers from the main pavilion. All gravestones and places of the dead are to be strictly left alone. Those that refuse will be turned to our new fey allies for punishment! We have time to make up today on the march so hurry and get a move on it. These and many other announcements are called out as the group gets ready to depart once more.
"I can't believe he just walked out and left..." Sorogar replies, while bandaging the wounds of the injured. She sighs as she holds out a man's broken arm for Brek or Ohime to take, splints it and then channels positive energy. Perhaps a bit more forceful than necessary, but it works.
She then sighs. "Well, I guess it can't be helped. I wonder if Krokkin will do the same, with them being friends and all. I should probably check on him later to make sure he doesn't do anything rash. But for now, who are you two and how did you come to be here? Ohime, I can tell by your smell that you aren't simply an old human lady. And you seem to be a rather powerful shaman yourself, Brek. Where is your spirit animal?"
Brek steps forward and the man excludes friendliness.
"I too am a sorcerer and I do possess cleansing flames that can heal though I have limited amounts to call upon." he snaps a finger and a tiny spark leaps out before dissipating.
"I should have no problems using most of these wands despite being self taught. Within my blood I do havesome ability to discern the properties of most magical items."
At 5th level, the phoenix’s blood drives you to find and save lost knowledge and magical items. As a swift action, you can automatically identify the properties of a non-cursed magic item you hold;
At Sorogar's question, the man smiles.
"I carry within me the blood of a Phoenix though I was told via a fortuneteller that my ancestor was a Solar. If you're curious how that came about, I confess I do not know. Being a vagabond leaves little access to great libraries."
Ohime will aid Sorogar and will sigh empathically with her frustrations.
"My smell? Oh..."
"No, I'm not old, or human. What you are likely smelling is an odor that mosquitos hate. I have hardly been bitten on this voyage because of it, but I'm here sort of for that reason. My skills as an alchemist are...alright. I can help many with a wide variety of remedies."
She looks around briefly before looking back to the teenager.
"Some less natural than others. But my aid doesn't stop there. I'm skilled in the sorcerous ways and have studied the arcane weave. I've sculpted my craft to resonate with tonal frequencies, meaning I'm quite similar to what some would call a bard."
To Brek, she inserts, "Truly a great wonder the phoenix is. You are blessed, surely."
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They are given the order to set out. She will leave the tent with the supplies they decide upon. With so many of them capable of using them, they will split them up between them in appropriate ways and head out. Initially, as they are deciding what to take, she will make it briefly evident that she sides with the commander and that the camp should have healing wands (as she's in his service). If opposed on this subject, she will remain silent but will look to the commander to see what he thinks.
She will then move outside, and almost immediately, a tiny thrush will set upon her shoulder and will chirp something at her, to which she will respond in a strange, unknown language. Off it will fly.
The half-orc's eyes widen. "You're saying you don't need a spirit to grant you magic to do it, but can do it yourself ? Both of you? Most other magic users I saw also have strange animals following them and I thought they drew power from those as well. Must be convenient."
The bat-like creature on her shoulder suddenly looks around to her, betrayed and screeching angrily. "Yes yes, Brujah. Don't worry. You're impressive too and I know we wouldn't get anywhere without you."
Seemingly satisfied, the spirit bat sits back down with an eerily humanoid smirk.
While dressed in functional armor and carrying a large and very sharp blade, the more eye-catching parts of her gear are the primitive looking trinkets and flasks she carries, along with the rat-skull quarterstaff. Judging from her reaction, it's probably fair to assume Sorogar has never been outside of the Anderian rainforest.
Hearing the call for the camp to move resound, she finishes bandaging the last patient and looks around. "I'd better go and quickly find Mosely and Krokkin. I'm not sure how this last fight affected them, and Krokkin just had his friend walk out on him. If you want to, I'd appreciate some assistance."
"The jungle taxes everyone in different ways," says the halfling guide cryptically. He's somehow materialized out of the jungle right at the edge of the conversation, and he's in the process of re-oiling his small machete.
"I'm not opposed to more help. Welcome to the team. What is your preference as far as breakfasts go?"
"Roc eggs. They're the best!" Sorogar says, grinning. "Though I suspect you don't have any on you. I'll settle for whatever you serve, though. Last night's dinner was great."
She looks around to see if Krokkin is moving to the front with the rest of the party. Meanwhile, she asks Ohime: "Oh, right. I forgot to ask, but is there any chance you could spare some of that mosquito-repelling scent? I suppose I'm used to getting stung, living here, but I don't particularly enjoy it."
Rummaging through her backpack to see if she forgot anything, she notices the two unidentified vials. "Hey, sir Brek, you said you were good at knowing what things were, right? What about the strange liquid in these vials that we took from the disguised Ogre? Might be useful in some way."
Mosely reaches into his worn leather pack and pulls out a small stoppered vial.
"Here's some insect repellent."
He tosses it to Sorogar.
Ohime will nod her head to Sorogar's assumptions about her magic and how it must be convenient. Her eyes will set on Brujah for a moment as it screeches, and in that moment, Ohime takes the opportunity to study the teen's form, her equipment, and her ability to reason with her spirit friend.
When Mosely shows up, it is to her clear shock, as she places a hand over her hard beating heart.
She speaks up, "I would help you with Krokkin, but I do not know him." She sounds almost like she wishes she can help. "I'm fine with anything for breakfast. I have some cooking ingredients on me and some coffee if you desire to have some in the morning."
At Sorogar's request, Ohime will slide her hand into her robe and detach two small bundles for her.
"You should save that repellent for more serious infestations. Such as at a swamp. I make those..."
She will hand over the two bundles and the strings she had used to attach them with.
"I would attach those there and there. That should keep them away from your face. Your clothes should do the rest for now."
Krokkin has gathered his and moved to his usual location at the head of his pride. The camp begins to move out slowly and your group is assigned the left side again as a scouting area.
As the jungle is cleared by Mosley's machete and a fair amount of switching from person to person, the distance between the party and the caravan widens. At the distance of several miles ahead, the clearing opens up a swathe of "cleared" ground. It appears to almost be savannah like in nature. The grass is only about waist deep here on Krokin instead of over his head.
As Sorogar takes a turn at slicing a path, the grass clears and a Chasm is in the path. The chasm is definitely across the projected path of the caravan. It is perhaps 1/4 mile wide and the bottom remains out of sight.
The cliff appears to be infested with caves and ledges.
Sorogar thanks both Ohime and Mosely for their insect repellants and applies the lesser potent one carefully according to Ohime's instructions.
Looking over the grasslands, she breathes in a deep tug of air. "Ah. Nothing like the fresh scent of grass, plants and herbs. Pity this is so far from the village. I imagine the growlings would have like to play here. Might be a good training ground for the warriors too, with the grass so high and all."
Following the path to the left after qucikly drinking from her water flask, they reach the canyon. "I see... this is a problem. I suppose we should have asked the fey for a map or hints on how to best proceed north before leaving the camp, as these are supposedly their lands. But a lot of things were happening and a lot of people needed help..."
She throws a rock down and listens for a potential echo, which doesn't come anywhere near soon, if at all. "Okay, any ideas? I think we could look for a way around, or find one through the caves. We'd have to find a pretty big cave for the caravan to travel through, and who knows what we'd find there. I also seem to recall the fey mentioning something about magical portals they use and perhaps one leads us around this."
On Sorogar's shoulder, Brujah looks around and cocks his head to the side.
Rummaging through her backpack to see if she forgot anything, she notices the two unidentified vials. "Hey, sir Brek, you said you were good at knowing what things were, right? What about the strange liquid in these vials that we took from the disguised Ogre? Might be useful in some way."
Brek nods with a grin and does something surprising.
"You two. Tell me. What do you both do?" as a surge of power can be felt emanating from him as he directs his question to the two flasks in question. It almost sounded like he was old friends with them.........
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With the use of his magic, Brek alters his scent to smell like the swampland they're in but pleasantly so.
"I'm afraid that I'm no good in telling directions without a map or some form of landmark. I tend to just wander around and ask for help as needed."
Brujah pauses as if thinking and then flies forward as if to say "why not fly across?"
Soragar realizes that many of the fey have wings and so crossing would not have been an obstacle for the fey.
"Well, if this is the path of the caravan, this is a really big problem," says Moseley as the team reaches the chasm. "Quarter-mile across, we're not gonna get a bridge spanning that without months of work, lots of labor, maybe magical assistance. But..." He trails off and looks to either side, trying to get a handle on how far this chasm stretches across the savannah.
"If it's more than a couple miles long in either direction, this expedition is basically over. No caravan route is going over this."
Facepalming over the obvious bat reaction of flying there, Sorogar takes another look of her own over the valley and chasm.
"Come now. We're not giving up that easily, are we?" she asks Mosely, studying the cliff faces.
Krokkin stays silent during the travel taking extra vigor with his blades when it is his turn to clear a path. As they reach the chasm he moves closer to the edge and then starts pacing to everyones left as he scans the ground and the canyon for clues on how to access the cliff caves
It is obvious that these caves form a network atleast in part. They are scattered along both walls of the chasm and seem to run down the sides as far as you can see. The spacing of them appears random with no pattern to them and most of them the elephants would struggle to move through.
Jungle starts again not to far on the other side. It looks less dense than on your side but still obviously jungle and dense.
"Wandering is sometimes the best thing a person can do," she quietly chuckles from behind her mask to Brek. If given permission, she will check the vials through more mundane means of identification.
Ohime will be foraging as they go, as well as looking for potential alchemical reagents.
As they make their way into the opening and the clear air, Ohime will turn from the others and will reach up to pull down her mask for a moment. She does not seem to be taking in a deep breath like Sorogar, but does seem more relaxed a moment later before the mask rises again and she turns back. She has no comments for what Sorogar says and allows her to stay in her enjoyment.
"This would be a good place for the encampment to rest if there is freshwater nearby."
They continue further and come to the ledge.
Ohime will speak out into nature in some strange language, and a small thrush that has been following the party will take off in the direction of the chasm and will take off to the left.
In familiar speech, Ohime will speak to her Thrush, saying, "Can you carefully fly out over the chasm there and scan for a way across for us bipedals?" With it being far more intelligent and knowing her own personality, she imagines it should do better in finding a way for them and the caravan to cross. 40ft flight speed, traveling to the left of the point of origin.
"Yes...let us not give up so readily," she affirms. There is the sound of a smile on her tone.
"Yes. I doubt the caravan will mind waiting here a bit while we find a path forward. Probably good for the animals too," Sorogar replies to Ohime. She thinks she can see something flicker through the air at the mysterious woman's request, but decides not to comment. Surely this new ally knew what she was doing, right?
"If my eyes are correct, it looks like there's a network of tunnels on either end of this valley," Sorogar then states. "I suppose that only leaves us with the option of finding the correct ones for the rest to follow. Think you can lead us through those, Krokkin?"
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After walking a small distance from the group to the left and the right of them and listening to the conversation, Krokkin sits down, crosses his legs, and begins intently studying the caves on the other wall. He is looking for any kind of movement in the caves or between them. He sits perfectly still not even his tail moving.
At Sorogars question he answers in a low voice barely moving his lips.
I can easily lead you into the caves, he pauses for a moment for effect, [/b]coming out the other side, that is the question.[/b]
The air is split by the sound of large birds ... rocs perhaps... flying over head. This may be an aerie of theirs but nothing but their presence indicates this.
Suddenly a deep rumble from under the ground, spews forth steaming water from a few of the caves. A few faint sounds come from below that almost sound like humanoid screams. The waters spew forth and are gone in a mere few seconds leaving wet and treacherous cliff walls spanning out below you.
Brek shrugs as he fails to get an answer from the flasks in question, handing it over back to their owners. He watches Orihime to see if she could tell what was in it.
He was glad that Krokkin the big big guy could guide them however he didn't fancy so much the climb that was likely to happen.
"Lead on. Adventure awaits though I hope not much climbing is involved."
The thrush returns after about 45 min to report that the chasm narrows to the north but that it found no obvious way across for Bipeds.
Sorogar looks down and wonders if that's really a good idea. "I don't think it makes sense for us to try climbing. As Mosely said, if there's no easier way for the caravan to follow us, there's no point. They'd never get the wagons down and up the cliff, to name just one thing - not without wasting excessive amounts of time and resources. Either we find a path down through the cavesystem or we find a way around the ravine through the jungle. Which should we take?"
With a bit of measuring the viscosity in swirling the liquid around, smelling it around the stopper, and holding it up to the light, she is able to determine what they are.
"Not magical. That is why you cannot tell what they are. It is acid. I think I hear them ordering us to move out. Before we leave, I will move the acid to smaller flasks for us to use."
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"Before we scale into any caves or not, let me ask my friend what he found. Then maybe we will see an alternate path, but I feel, in the meantime, we should watch the skies." As her bird returns, she listens to it speak to her and then relays to the party, "Only about forty-five minutes, as the bird flies, the chasm narrows to the north, but there is no way across. Perhaps there we can find some easier way of traversing the distance though?"
She looks down there over the ledge, considering the width of the caves, the distance of the chasm, not to mention the sounds that were made. Being a specialist of sound, Ohime is curious as to whether there is a natural explanation for the water gushing out. Was it the sounds of people screaming, of a roc cry, or the sound of steam that made the cry?
The vishkanya also tries to determine what likely made the caves to begin with, based on her knowledges.
After her little birdy has a few moments to rest, she will speak to it again in the strange language.
The noise may have been pressure of boulders and things being tossed about by the water gushing out or it could have been the high screams of something unfortunate to be caught in the caves when the water blew.
The bird flies off to the south now and returns after about 40 min.