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Jabber too preezennt!
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Jabber maps updated! Including some renaming of buildings on the Sanctuary maps based on the summaries (label sizes permitting)
Latest Maps up on the Jabber Profile!
Jabber seems to answer with a degree of chagrin in his tone and demeanor, though interpreting the facial features of kobolds is not nearly the same as with humans. Still, they have experience with Jabber, and he has always been one to please the Founders with his efforts, whether servant or chieftain. "Jabber sorry about names given by Sootscales. Apologizes I do please. Jabber try teach Sootscales that names are earrrned. Sootscale must show Jabber and seek-sayers of Tribe Sootscale of what they learn and do, and they earrrn name, work for name as Banker Jarrrrow teaches Jabber long time ago." He gives what could be counted as a sigh and continues. "Sootscales want name to show they are good. Name is good. Some Sootscales give names to Founders, which is not good. I try teach ones that human Founders earnnss names long time ago and no need new names, no need kobold names. We Sootscales learn human names for you, but some Sootscales give you names too. Jabber try to teach them right and wrong you see. Most sorry they not call you prop...properrrrley." He turns to Berrin and eyes him directly. "Sootscales call you many things Bearr-rin blade man. Many scared of you, scared of big horse monster, see you at big battle with name of many-heads monster. One name is said more than rest, that of Creak'tru Kerrar. Means slayer of king of trolls. Some see you as new king of trolls, but Jabber explain - teach Sootscales you not kill troll king to take place of troll king." With even more embarrassment, Jabber bows low and looks down at Jemini's feet. "Great Lady, Jabber apologies. Sootscales like Eyessss call you Kimreka. Kimreka is fire ball in great sky, but fire ball when ball creeps up from earth, when ball is low. Sootscales no like ball of fire when high on perch and burns and blinds, true, but when first climbs up from earth we Sootscales like and be better. That then is Kimreka. They call you that."
Jabber beams with delight at the words of praise, though it is clear that most of the others do not understand what Jemini said to have a reaction to it, except by way of her expressive demeanor. Jemini does pick up the draconic word "Kimreka" several times as they regard her, in some cases pointing and speaking low to each other. Jabber bows again to the Founders - prompting about half the others to do the same in confused fashion - and then says to them, "Jabber thanks very much for you believe in us. We earn. I teach them ways. Let me shows you Eyessss." Jabber calls out in a louder voice. "Eyesss. Eyesss?" A few moments go by and the new chieftain taps his foot in irritation. "EYESSSS! Cuka rara omd kruv aeuirkark!" Several of the other kobolds begin chanting and calling for "Eyessss" as well, though Berrin and Jemini spot some of the other kobolds - females most probably by the way they clutch several younglings amongst them - usher in the younger ones out of the cold and back into a few nearby hovels. Others stand where they are but shiver in the winter's air. It suddenly occurs to Berrin and Jemini that most of the kobolds lack proper clothing - while Jabber wears a loose garnache-style cloak and a fine leather belt, most others wear only a blanket with arm and neck holes punched through them, or a re-purposed sack, or nothing at all. None wear shoes. Most of the males do wear some sort of makeshift or actual crafted belt however, with tools or small weapons sheathed. To their eyes the Sootscales have red scales as the most common, with black scales being the next common and hues of blue or green being much more rare - perhaps something akin to rarity of eye or hair color in humans. There are no white-scaled Sootscales as far as they can tell. The hooting and calling for "Eyessss" grows louder as finally a black-scaled shorter kobold comes through the gathering and carefully approaches the Founders to where Jabber is, looking wary and somewhat afraid. Jabber reassuringly puts a clawed hand on his shoulder and says proudly. "This is Eyessss. Eyessss is scout, very very very good scout and watcher. He see anything Founders need seeing. Has earned his name in tribe, as all must do to show worth and...vaaluuue...as Banker Verik shows us. His name earned is Eyessss." Jabber finishes the explanation proudly and adds, "Say hello Eyessss. To Founders." The smaller kobold is clearly afraid at being put on the spot with the attention, but he obeys his chief. "Ha...haloooooo." He smiles a toothy grin as he looks to Jabber for confirmation. Jabber nods approvingly. It is then that Eyessss starts an exchange that Jemini realizes is about her directly. "Kimreka." Eyessss points a clawed finger at Jemini and nods. "No, Eyesss. First Founder Jemini Lebeda." Jabber corrects him and smiles reassuringly to Jemini. "Kimreka!" Eyesss challenges his chief and stubbornly repeats the draconic word. Jabber taps his foot in irritation once again and puffs out his chest in response. "NO. Firrrrrrst Founder Jemini. Jem-in-i. Sra ek sraos rodae omd rok aormad rar uvm moka, ku aeui verr ika es vruvarrae!" The black-scaled kobold cowers and takes a step back, looking back and forth between Jabber and Jemini, his head cocked slightly to one side as if trying to understand something. Finally, he says in a more timid voice as if in a question. "Firrrst Jemini Kimreka?" Jabber regards him harshly for a moment, then seemingly gives in and answers in a voice that could almost be one of resignation. "First Jemini Kimreka." Eyessss grins and bows to the Founders and then scampers off, even as hoots and calls go up amongst the kobolds, repeating the name "Jemini Kimreka" in a cacophonous babble. From Berrin's right two youngling red-scaled kobolds come scampering up to him, though stopping well short of his reach. They nimbly hop up and down and cry out, "CREAK'TRU KERRAR!" Then they hoot once more and scamper off away from Berrin into a hovel-hole. Several of the male kobolds point and hoot in what apparently is accepting laughter, though Jabber clearly finds it embarrassing, and waves them off with an angry retort.
Originally the soldier-citizens of Newhaven (under the planning of Verik and chief architect Galen Laviil) constructed two neat rows of low barracks-style buildings for the freed Sootscale population to occupy, even as laws and plans were being made for their oversight and incorporation into the population. Some of those buildings are still intact, but most were soon stripped of their wood and stone to fashion what is now the "Scales" borough, nearly doubling its size. The main path through the Scales winds purposely like a snake between what were the old double rows of buildings. Jemini and Berrin can see that most of the kobold-crafted houses, hovels and huts have no doors to them - though many have planks of wood that serve to keep the chill air out, yet allow smoke to exit from the interior. Most hovels are dark and lack lighting other than low hearth-fires, but where they can see in it is clear the kobolds have mostly dug into the ground for their interiors, bringing their ground floors several feet down from ground level. Interestingly, this serves to provide them with extra warmth and protection from the extremes of cold, heat or wind. The excavated earth from their homes seemingly has been used to make a clay-mud to shore up cracks or gaps in their haphazard construction, as well as to block up spaces between homes to disallow obvious access outside their borough. Most edifices are low and one-story, but in a few places a second level has been added in the form of twisted balconies and gazebos - with some connected to each other across the paths with rope bridges that could not be possibly safe except to a smaller creature. Added to all of this are scraps of debris from the new dump tacked on to decoration and accent. The Sootscales have shown their sheer excellence for scavenging. Everywhere the smoke of burning dung snakes out through doorways and ceiling holes, the kobold's primary fuel for hearth-fires and ovens. The nearby farmsteads have clearly provided a cheap and abundant resource to the Sootscales, who evidently have no sense of smell or aversion to animal waste to heat their homes and cook their food. As the trio pass through the warrens, they realize they have not seen a single Sootscale out and about. Initially thinking they are simply shy or dwelling deep in their homes because of the cold, it becomes clear after a few twists and turns that their places seem to be deserted. The conundrum is resolved however as they turn another corner to what amounts to their main "square" at the end of the path. Jemini, Berrin and Verik suddenly come face-to-face with dozens of the Sootscale population, all out in the open air and arrayed to greet them, with Jabber at the head of the congregation. He shouts several quick works in their draconic kobold-speak and they all put their arms out and bow to the Founders. It would be endearing if not for the fact that as they bow their eyes remain fixed on the trio, and their attempts to smile show large amounts of snouts with sharp teeth, creating a rather unsettling visage. It is clear though that the kobolds' greeting is genuine and not an attempt to intimidate them or have them for a meal. At its conclusion Jabber steps forward proudly and says in their tongue, "Welcome to home of Sootscales! You very welcome to see us! We knew you come, yes we did! Eyessss see you come! Yes! Eyessss see you!" Jabber ends his last statement with a knowing half-chortle as if sharing in a grand joke, though it is not immediately apparent as to what he means.
New maps up!
Jabber's city maps updated!
Jabber roots for the Founders to win the battle...so he can be Chief of All Sootscales...and in the meantime organizes scrolls and papers for Verik. (my new profile to hold spoilers because I ran out of room with Verik - check it out!) |