Seeing Tkk-Tkk and Daqas circling ahead and beginning to fly lower, Børak slows down his mount. Lifting his shield from the saddle horn and drawing his lance from it's scabbard. Touching the lizards flanks with his heels, signaling it to move forward as he summons his astral skin. As he crests the small dune, he sees the Oasis. He squeezes the Crodlu's flanks with his knees, causing it to come to a stop as he inspects the Oasis.
For those scouting the Oasis.
Everything seems right. It seems to be a spring of water feeding available plant life. There are a group of elves here, watering their animals. And it seems that a Tree of Life (see Defilers and Preservers: the Wizards of Athas) grows nearby. Nothing seems out of place, though you might have to wait your turn to water the animals and fill your water tins.
Tkk-tkk will signal the caravan to approach slowly. He'll come to the ground a ways back, not wanting to start trouble with the elves. He'll warn the group that there are elves there at the moment, and they should wait cautiously.
Elaine motions towards the tree and speaks quietly as they wait to water the animals.
"Do not venture too near the tree. It has guardians, I am certain."
Looking over his shoulder to make sure Joseph saw Tkk-Tkk's signal, Børak sees the Kreen land a good distance from the elves. 'Smart, Tkk-Tkk knows well enough for her not to startle the elves.'
Hearing Elaine's warning, Børak stops his crodlu and signs, "Tree of life?" Then remembering she did not know sign, he pulls out his slate board and quickly writes, turning it so she could see.
Tree
of
Life
?
"Perhaps, perhaps not. In either case it grows well and should be left be, our concern is the caravan and a long journey. We wish to water our beasts, ourselves, and move on without conflict here. The wind doesn't stay, for all it might linger near water a while"
"At least we won't have to worry about disturbing it," Joshua says.
"...The wind doesn't stay, for all it might linger near water a while"
Seeing that the front elements of the caravan had joined them, Elek nods to Joshua. Not wanting to cause any trouble with the elvish tribe, Børak dismounted his Crodlu and left his weapons in their scabbards. Giving the elves a wide berth he lead the beast to the opposite side of the pool of water. Keeping a keen eye out as he moved through the oasis and while he beast drank. Once it had it's fill, he made a clicking sound, telling it to 'guard' and filled his water skin.
So far, the elves aren't doing anything.
So far, the elves aren't doing anything.
As Børak fills his water skin, he keeps a keen eye out for anything going on.
Tkk-tkk is staying back to avoid triggering the elves. After all, some of them have completely unprovoked hostility towards the Kreen.
Daqas observes as Tkk-Tkk stays back, but he himself flies closer to the water, but expertly tries to avoid being too close to the tree. He fills his canteen, drinks and refills again, and then tries to help pull the horses to drink.
The elves look at Tkk-Tkk,and stay on their guard.
Hello there, stranger flying on the wind!
Suddenly, out of seemingly nowhere, an elf woman dressed in traveling robes and scarves stands close to Daqas, her hand in a peaceful greeting gesture and smiling.
You could swear she was farther away than most could walk or run just a moment ago.
May there be shade and water in your life. Isn't the water of this oasis especially sweet? As if you can almost taste the fruits of the trees growing around it?
She has kind of a polearm in one hand, but leans on it like on a walking staff.
I see you are traveling with a caravan and animals. Unusual for one of your kind to tie themselves down with such slow and burdensome beasts. And you are traveling with a kreen? I hope there aren't a lot more behind the dunes....May i ask from where you came and where you're headed? We don't see such illustrious company here often.
And don't worry, you are safe and welcome here, as long as nobody tries to desecrate the place and what is obvious here. Maybe you could even trade.
She vaguely gestures at the tree of life and the water.
The aarakocra looks at the elven woman with curiosity. The monk was naturally silent and stoic, but for moments now seemed even more than usual. At some point, though, he finally speaks.
We're just a crossing caravan, and mean you no harm.[b/] - his words are brief, but to the point - [b]It's a long journey, so we're thankful for the water. We have no interest on your tree or its fruits, and will be on our way shortly.
Daqas was the least diplomatic creature around; maybe even the horses could do a better job in normal circumstances. What he wasn't, however, was a liar - while he picked his words, they all sounded sincere, and maybe that's why he managed to still be socially pleasant.
Who isn't interested in a tree of life and it's fruits?
The woman moves closer, into a normal conversational distance.
With a dismissive gesture she adds
I didn't think you're a threat, nor did anyone else of my tribe, else you wouldn't be alive most likely, or captured. Of course you say you have no interest, what else can you say? Saying differently would probably mark you a possible threat, so you would avoid it at all costs.
She leans closer in and looks the arakroca into their eyes, her own slightly squinted.
How, i ask you, can you deny the marvel of such a wonder though? Look around! You came through the bland and barren desert, yet here you stand now before this pond of fresh water, seeing all these intense colors, the different hues of blue and brown and green, the leaves casting shade for exhausted eyes and bodies, all of it promising relief of the oppressive heat. Doesn't your soul long for the peace and rest promised here?
She pokes a finger onto Daqas chest.
Or...are you already dead inside? Your sense for marvel and wonder dried out and flaked away like the once verdant topsoil of what is now the vast desert?
Coltish laughter concludes her words, as she dips her bare feet into the water.
Then she adds
It's too sad though. I thought you would bring some change here, something exciting, not just traders as bleak as the rest of the land struggling from one desolation to the other in a desperate bet for survival. For a moment i thought you might be someone with purpose, a goal, something that will become a tale or legend later on. Something adventurous. At least tell me where you came from, where you are going and why.
Yes, I guess life is disappointing. This is just a bleak trading caravan. And my soul lives on the Wind itself; it's easier to carry an empty shell. - completes the aarakocra, emphasizing the word "wind", and then flapping his wings and taking back to the skies without actually giving details of where they came from or where they're going to.
Surprise and disappointment shows on the elves face as the aracroka takes to the air.
Hey wait! You don't need to tell me the truth, but at least tell me a good story! You're supposed to bring some entertainment! Have you no manners at all?
You can hear a disgruntled sigh from the ground, but suddenly the elf is running right next to you, through the air.
What do you mean your soul lives on the wind and carrying an empty shell? Do you mean you are empty? Come on, don't be boring!
Having filled his water skin and satiated his and the Crodlu's thirst Børak begins to make his way back to the caravan, watching for anything unusual. Seeing the armed female elf seemingly appear near Daqas' location, Børak is about to whistle a warning, but sees the Aarakorcra is aware of her.
Realizing they are talking, Børak nods and releases a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. It was good that the elves were willing to talk. He was surprised that they decided to speak with the bird of prey instead of one of the other humanoids. Smirking at himself, at least Daqas could speak, how long would the elf have waited for him to write down a greeting.
Chuckling at the thought of himself and the elf trying to communicate, Børak began to casually move towards the Aarakocra and elf. Stopping and watching as they both took to the air. Blinking, he turns to Joshua and signs, "Is the Caravan ready to move?"
Daqas looks at his side, noticing the Elf running through the air. The aarakocra opens an awkward smile; he is almost 7 foot tall himself, with a immense wingspan, and the humanoid by him appears like a miniscule surprise on the air. Yet, a surprise that he takes very positively.
You gained a lot more of my respect, flesh born. - he says - It's here, at the skies, that Syranita the First truly speaks to us.
The avian monk blinks and takes a deep, deep breath. Despite his size, he barely weighted a hundred pounds. The wind passes around his body and feather almost as if through him, and he tries to show it to the Elf by slightly shifting and soaring instead of flapping the wings.
Look down there, at your tree and its protectors, at my caravan and its people. Don't let your eyes fool you; they may look small, but that's the illusion we must overcome. Syranita gifted us the skies so our sights could see it all from this perspective. But as every gift of wisdom, we need to truly understand what's going on, and introspectively be able to see that we are not gods looking at the small creatures that worship us.
He lets the wind carry him a lot higher than before, but makes sure to keep his speed at a level she can accompany him.
There is cruelty in this world we share, and many look at someone like me and see only a wild predator. But we respect the Hunt. I'm happy to see you can let the wind guide your steps too, and I hope you can appreciate our little journey here and see how it parallels with the journey our own souls take during our limited lives... The very short ones like mine, but even the long ones like yours.
I have to admitt, i'm not as fast as you in the sky, nor can i stay as long as you. At least not yet or like that. You call me flesh born? Aren't you made of flesh? Or are you just a large ball of feather?
She giggles and clearly thinks this is a good joke.
From afar everything looks small, but only fools don't know that. The sandstorm on the horizon is nothing more but a small cloud in the beginning, but when it reaches you, it can tear the flesh right from your bones or suffocate you with all the dust.
It's the first time i speak with someone of your kind, but only through experience the new and unknown we can grow and develop us further. We elves are hunters too, we just hunt differently than you. And we usually don't eat other people. We respect life. Every life is worth something, be it short or long. Then, what lasts long in this desert anyway?
Stretching out in the sky as if lying in the air, she smiles some more.
I appreciate every moment of life, you never know when it might be over. It all needs to be celebrated properly, don't you agree? It's also very interesting to talk to you. As i thought you have very different views. Most of my tribe indeed would see you as a predator, or at least potentially dangerous. You probably are. But i'm unafraid. I like your feathers, they have a beauty of their own.
Elaine looks on in amusement as the elf chases the arak OA into the sky, then answers Borak.
”The caravan is ready, although Martha still insists her beast hates her. He pooped on her tent.”. She shrugs, and watches the sky race again. ”I wonder if the elf has the good sense to come down before her will gives out. She’d make a mess if she fell from there.”
Moving towards the front of the caravan by Elaine, he nodded as she talked. He wasn't sure who Martha was. But she, her tent and her beast were only his concern in the sense of keeping them safe. Seeing the druid look to the sky, Børak watched the elf and Aarakocra as well for a second.
Mounting his Crodlu, he turned back in his stirrups, waiting for Joshua to give the signal to contine.
Joshua says to the elf, "Going our way? We could use the company."
After being spoken to by someone else seemingly close by, the elf realizes how she had let herself be carried away by her playful nature and short blush can be seen on her face as she descends from the sky like stepping down the stairs from a throne.
Going your way? she notes with amusement.
You think i would give up the ways of my people just like that for a stranger asking? Who are you and what is your way?
She considers him for a moment before adding.
What kind of company are you looking for exactly? Don't think my company comes for free, whatever the kind of you are looking for!
"Uhm, just asking," said Joshua. "We're from Kurn on our way to Guistenal. An elvish guide like yourself could help us negotiate with other elf tribes we come across."
"I am Joshua, the Caravan Master."
Shade be with you, Joshua the Caravan Master. I am called Amunet-Ra. So you want me as a guide? That could be done, but you should know it does not guarantee safe passage or peace with other elf tribes. That depends a lot on the tribe and you. You need to be prepared to trade.
What would i gain from helping you there? I should also talk about this with the rest of my tribe, else they think you try to abduct an innocent elf maiden like me, carry me away as a slave or something. That would certainly lead to some trouble for your caravan.
She pauses for a moment, looking back to the Arakroca.
Kurn to Guistenal you say. Interesting, why wouldn't the birdman tell me that?
Daqas just lets the Elf speak, and as she couldn't fly for any longer, he sees her fly back down, silently nodding. He doesn't have anything else to tell her, and doesn't have the will to answer more questions.
As he sees she talking to Joshua, he moves to land, ending on top of a tree and observing with curiosity. He grunts, not too loudly, and for a moment wonders about the times aarakocras hunted elves and other prey more actively. Many of his race, nowadays, have gone tame on it. As for him, it's convenient to follow some conventions to keep his belly full and dream of warm nights; he would do that without problem, but still misses the Hunt.
Shade be with you, Joshua the Caravan Master. I am called Amunet-Ra. So you want me as a guide? That could be done, but you should know it does not guarantee safe passage or peace with other elf tribes. That depends a lot on the tribe and you. You need to be prepared to trade.
What would i gain from helping you there? I should also talk about this with the rest of my tribe, else they think you try to abduct an innocent elf maiden like me, carry me away as a slave or something. That would certainly lead to some trouble for your caravan.
She pauses for a moment, looking back to the Arakroca.
Kurn to Guistenal you say. Interesting, why wouldn't the birdman tell me that?
"Because I'm in charge?" postulates Joshua. "Well, I can't take you by force, that's against my proclivities. Go ahead, discuss it with your tribe."
Ah, so you're the one who can answer all my questions. Tell me then, why are you traveling from Kurn to Guistenal and what are you transporting? That is something i should know before i agree to go with you.
She smiles and steps away for a moment, just far enough so a low conversation couldn't be heard.
Then she screens her mouth with one hand and with the other points at another elf near the tree, seemingly speaking and listening to something, all the while watching Joshua and the Caravan.
After a moment she comes back.
Alright, i might come with you. What can you offer me and my tribe as a compensation? They will miss me and my abilities, while you enjoy my presence and abilities.
Ah, so you're the one who can answer all my questions. Tell me then, why are you traveling from Kurn to Guistenal and what are you transporting? That is something i should know before i agree to go with you.
"Pottery, to Guistenal. We are unable to transport perishable foodstuffs," Joshua answers.
She smiles and steps away for a moment, just far enough so a low conversation couldn't be heard.
Then she screens her mouth with one hand and with the other points at another elf near the tree, seemingly speaking and listening to something, all the while watching Joshua and the Caravan.After a moment she comes back.
Alright, i might come with you. What can you offer me and my tribe as a compensation? They will miss me and my abilities, while you enjoy my presence and abilities.
Joshua takes down a long object, covered in cloth. He removes the cloth, revealing a sword made of steel. "Would this do? It's the Lizardman cutter. The sword of my master."
Amunet-Ra steps closer and takes the steel sword.
A metal sword? And the sword of your master? I feel very honored! Why is it called the Lizardman Cutter? Is there a story behind it?
She examines the sword.
If you look closely, you see her eyes turn blue for a moment.
Amunet-Ra steps closer and takes the steel sword.
A metal sword? And the sword of your master? I feel very honored! Why is it called the Lizardman Cutter? Is there a story behind it?She examines the sword.
If you look closely, you see her eyes turn blue for a moment.
[dice=Kn: Arcana]1d20 + 9
[dice=Spellcraft]1d20 + 12
[dice=Craft Weapons]1d20 + 7
[dice=Appraise]1d20 + 7
Lizardman Cutter was the sword Oronis used to wipe out the Lizard men (or folk) during the Cleansing Wars. Oronis was a defiler, but his conscience had bothered him so he rejected his Dragon form and became an Avangion. The sword is a relic of the Cleansing Wars, and it's magic had faded when Oronis became an Avangion. In fact, Oronis disjuncted it using magic of his own. It's now unusable.
It's worth about 200 ceramic pieces.
Oh. I recognize this historical artifact. In hope to proof worthy of it i will accept it as payment.
She nods to Joshua and puts the sword in her backpack.
Alright, i'm ready to go. My supply of water is stocked and i have food for several days. Care to make any introductions or is there anything i need to know about you and your caravans besides what you told me so far?
As the elf seems to prepare to join the party, Tkk-tkk worries. Still, if there is hostility, it is better to get it over with. She will approach the elf and wait, about fifty feet away. When noticed, she will nod.
If the elf returns a positive signal, she will approach slowly and openly.
"I am Tkk-tkk. I wish to assure you that I will not start any hostilities while we travel together. My hunting skills will keep me fed without seeking out any elf-meat. I swear this by the Earth and Sky."
As she sears the sand ripples into circles below and the winds circle around.
Amunet-Ra notices the Kreen and nods back as she nods, listening to what she has to say.
Welcome, Tkk-Tkk. Your hunting skills are most certainly excellent, but should you desire my flesh, you will be challenged. We elves may have sweet flesh, but you have very useful carapaces.
I'll hold you to your oath and you can swear on the tree of life!
I can hunt myself and help feed you, if need be. You can feel free to never start hostilities with me and i'll do the same. Promise.
"Then we have an agreement." With that she withdraws and takes to the sky.
As the insect takes to the sky, seemingly without wings, Amunet-Ra's jaw drops for a moment.
So the ancient tales about swarms of kreen coming over the lands flying and eating everything they could might be true after all. What a horrible scenario!
She then shakes her head violently and murmurs
Yes, i hope we have an agreement.
"Allow me to start with the introductions," said Joshua. "This is Elaine, a half-giant druid."
"And this is Borak, a simple mul," Joshua introduces. "And you already met Daqas and Tkk-Tkk."
'Why would he bring that blade with him? And why would he give it away to a complete stranger?" Børak had not been surprised when the female elf asked for some form of payment in advance. It never hurts to ask. But he was surprised when Joshua was willing to make an exception and pay before the job was accomplished. But that surprise held no comparison to when the inexperienced Caravan Master took out the fabled " Lizardman cutter" the sword of Oronis, it's lack of magic proof that Oronis was no longer a defiler. A truth that the entire city was built around to keep hidden. Now, did the youth not only show it, and speak of it, he was giving it away to a elven tribeswoman that none of them even knew. 'This boy is clearly not his father.'
Not sure how to proceed, Børak thought for a moment, Joshua's father must surely know the boy had the blade. Old Azeth must be informed. Looking towards the meeting where Joshua seemed to be introducing the elf to those gathered round, Børak gave a low whistle, turning the Crodlu. Touching his heel to the beasts sides, it launched out into the desert back the way they came.
Daqas approaches Joshua, and as serious as his usual, he speaks.
I don't actually understand why we'd take the Elf, or why we'd even offer her something... Especially something valuable. - he's blunt as they come, and proceeds quickly - Tkk-Tkk may feel like it works, but I don't. If the intention is to bring the Elf along with us, then I don't see why my services would be needed anymore - and I'd rather part separate ways from here.