| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Turq makes his rounds, checking to make sure that everyone on okay. If anyone is fairing particularly poorly with the cold, he will use his mug to make a steaming cup of hot chocolate for them.
So, Mother Tusk, 'afore we wander too much off track, I ask again. If'n we have an opportunity fer a peaceful solution, I think we should take it. Are ye willin' ta meet a representative? It might be a powerful tool in this task!
After a good rest on a bed of thistles, you find breakfast waiting for you in the form of a small berry. Nourishing beyond belief, you feel ready to take on another day. Mother Tusk shifts her way into your cave. ”Spritzel tells me you were discussing the hunters to our north.” Mother Tusk points a flipper northward, “Yonder is the forest we use for hunting and shelter. A group of two- leggers moved there not long ago, and now they hunt us. You must talk to them on our behalf, for they only see us as prey. Please convince them to leave us in peace, or drive them away.”
With only faint light of twilight at mid day, it’s hard to know what time it is. Your best guess is you slept through the night and it is morning though the dark sky would never admit it.
Umikh would've looked at that single berry like Mother Tusk done lost her mind. And after feeling quite satisfied after consuming it, still incredulous.
Sure, we can reason with them. He would enquire as to the specific boundaries if that wasn't already clear, just in case parlay works. He would also want to know all of the details they have - their numbers, any physical description, whatever can help.
The permanently dark sky is creepy, and not conducive to being out in it. But they must soldier on!
Turq nods as he shoulders his pack, Any intelligence that ye could give us would be a great help.
Unfazed by the morning's darkness (it's often dark underground anyway), Baldrick stows his gear quickly and efficiently. When Mother Tusk arrives, he is standing stiffly, ready for the day.
The difference when the eladrin appears in the morning could not be more stark. Where he once exuded green and life and a joy in life, that is now gone. Now the eladrin is as bright as the noon day sun. His demeanor has changed. There is a much more serious air to him.
As if just remembering something, Turq speaks to Mother Tusk, No doubt Spritzel told ye about the talking wolf that was hunting him and his brothers. Someone ye know?
Noticing the change in Rodalas, Good morn, Sir Elf. Ready for business, are ye?
The eladrin nods.
After a good rest on a bed of thistles, you find breakfast waiting for you in the form of a small berry. Nourishing beyond belief, you feel ready to take on another day. Mother Tusk shifts her way into your cave. ”Spritzel tells me you were discussing the hunters to our north.” Mother Tusk points a flipper northward, “Yonder is the forest we use for hunting and shelter. A group of two- leggers moved there not long ago, and now they hunt us. You must talk to them on our behalf, for they only see us as prey. Please convince them to leave us in peace, or drive them away.”
"Is there room for negotiation?" - Aggrammar asks - "I mean... It may be they are nasty individuals, but then again they may also be huntin' for a matter of survival" - the dwarf shrugs - "Would ye be willin' to help them fishin', or some other alternative?"
Mother Tusk seems to mull over your questions for some time. ”We know little about them. When we have approached, the hunters have chased us off. I do think they must be wanderers though, since they were not here when we first came to this area.”
”There are many of them, mostly tall like you” pointing a flipper at Turq ” along with some shorter folk with green complexions and pointy ears. They seem to be honorable people though, with a respect toward strength over pretty words. With that in mind, I’d be willing to meet with one of these tribesman, or if a reasonable deal can be reached with you, we would honor it.”
When Baldrick asks about the boots Mother Tusk indicates that she did not know the person who owned these boots and they would be yours to claim.
When asked about the wolf, Mother Tusk seems to shift uncomfortably ”I think I do know this wolf. A servant of our previous Master that did not come with us when we left. It concerns me that they are hunting us, surely he knew Spritzel was his prey.”
Hmmm, while it seems normal for a regular wolf to not really care who or what his next meal is, seems out of character for a talkin' one. Wonder if they was sent on purpose.
Mир sits quietly listening and muching on some bread.
Turq frowns in thought, If it comes to it, there may be a fight. The tribesmen of the Dale respect strength, but maybe we could get away with a challenge rather than full blown melee...
The sturdy warrior nods at the comment about the wolf, I figured as much. Best keep an eye out fer that one... Well, I think we are good to go. Where are we headed?
Emmett had a miserable night. Somehow, the cold never got off his old bones and he feels his body like an old wooden plank found at the back of the barn on a crispy winter morning. As he rises to greet the other and put something warm inside his mouth, he swears he can hear his spine creak and threaten to splinter or shatter from any slight bending. As a result, he walks with a straight back for a while, bending at a right angle to get his bowl.
He listens to the conversation with intent: "We will have to find the right arguments then. I wonder if we should bring the fact that they are sentient up? I mean, I understand people wanting to hunt for survival, and we don't know yet whether it would be only for sports until we know more about them, but even then, eh? If it were you going for a hunt, would you listen to some other people asking you to spare the animals? If it were me, my first thought would be that these animal savers were of bad faith, wanting the hunting all for themselves... On the other hand, if we say that the animals are sentient, then we might open another can of trout guts..." he comments. more or less muttering to himself.
To Mother Tusk, Baldrick salutes stiffly, ready to talk or fight when the time comes. He stands at the ready, looking to see if his companions are prepared - if any of the less soldiery-types are slow or sloppy with their packing, he'll move over to help them out.
Thr eladrin practices his sword play as he listens to Mother Tusk.
Baldrick, those boots you pick up better than the ones you got? Try 'em on, let's see, maybe someone could use 'em.
Baldrick holds up the boots dubiously: "Nnnn... I think they're too long and narrow - the explorer was one of the fair folk. Maybe... HEY, RODALAS! DO YOU NEED SOME BOOTS?"
He takes a look at the boots as he finishing his set. He tries them on.
Time's a-wastin', boyos, Turq announces, standing after attaching his snow shoes, Let us pound snow, eh? Which way we headin' Mother?
Time's a-wastin', boyos, Turq announces, standing after attaching his snow shoes, Let us pound snow, eh? Which way we headin' Mother?
Mир rumbles deeply, "Hunters.."
Emmett is all wrapped in thick fur and looks to the others: "What's all this fuss about a pair of boots? I thought we were heading out to meet some hunters and negotiate an understanding, no? Turq even has his snow shoes on! We should head out as soon as possible, try to make the best of daylight, yes?"
We should deal with the hunters first. the eladrin opines.
Okay, ta talk ta these Longlegs first then. We'll be going near Dougan's Hole. They ain't the most hospitable o' folk, but mayhap we can get supplies if we need. Otherwise, I am sure we can make it there and back right quick, assuming they is amenable. Ready ta go?
"Maybe we should stop for supplies on the way back?"
Turq nods, I'm wonderin' if these folk might not be swayed by some Good Mead, if'n they are truly tribesmen from the tundra. I have only a little, but I wonder if a cask might hold more weight.
The stout warrior hesitates a moment, Though, it sounded like they got some gobbies or the like. We may be in fer more of a fight than we hope.
At the mention of longlegs by Turq, the eladrin will stop what he is doing and give him a once, twice over.
Turq looks at Rodalas defensively, What? That's Mother Tusk, called them! Ain't it?
"Ah, well, goblins aren't all like in the stories - we used to trade with some back in the mountain-home. They seemed no better or more wicked than the other traders."
Baldrick stops abruptly, looking apprehensively from face to face - maybe his home was radical in their approach to this traditional dwarven enemy.
Where ye from again? Turq's eyebrows raise at the mention of trading with goblinkind...
The goliath raises an eyebrow at the shift in conversation.
I've only met goblins a couple times, did business just like anyone else. But I heard tales like any other dwarf. Guess we'll see. Ain't got high hopes but we gotta try.
Emmett hated being dressed for the cold, only to sweat indoors, so he pushes everyone out as they continue discussing.
”Not sure what to think of goblins...”