"I would not exactly say abandon. We have been tasked with gathering information for a larger force that is 1 to 2 days behind us. I truly believe they will help provide aid, and we have been warned to not engage unless we have to. What say you, Hoke?"
"Surely you have means to send word to this force that you are scouting for," I say almost pleading with Dram, "What is this force's intent if not to safeguard the land's people... like these? Are you not representing their benevolence as well as their might? Could we not safeguard these people until the vanguard of your army arrives?"
Turning to Ashwatthama, I say, "You mention that you can communicate with them so they can free you to help. How do you do that? Is there some kind of sending you can do? What manner of servitude are you all bound to that denies you the ability to listen to your conscience? We would be dooming more of these people to a fate similar to Sugit's."
Turning back to Dram, I say, "... and it would be adandonment. These people do not have the means that we do to combat this evil."
"Manhuman, what say you?"
Mahuman looks uncomfortable at this confrontation. "We all have our masters, and we must follow their will. Is it as you have said, that an army follows after you? Will they be here by tonight? The gems will move in the morning, after that, they will not come again until next month."
Hoke leans in to Dram and Ash "Lads, Aldur needs to know what is going on, but we may be able to get to him and back by night fall. Unless your magical friends can send a message any other way?"
Crisk looks around nervously..."I'm hesitant to do this, but as Daiwik says we have to do something... I'll send Ja with a message since it is likely he will be back by tomorrow morning at the latest." "Thank you for your understanding Mahuman we do have our masters, but as Daiwik pointed out our masters do have the good will of the region at heart. We can send a message and stay the night, if our master wishes us to aid immediately we can, if he will be sending aid and asks us to continue then that is what we shall do." "Vykral can you pen the message you are far better with words than I am."
Vykral grabs a spare parchment and pen and prepares a report (). "So you're gonna tie it to your bird?"
Mahuman looks visibly relieved that you are not leaving, but also on edge. "Allow us to show you the way to the mines." He motions to the warriors, who fall in around him as he moves out of the temple.
After Vykral hands over the report Crisk calls Ja out of the rafters talking to him in a strange language. in Aquan
at Ja in Aquan
"I am sure that, behind the veil, The Unbeheld smiles upon us," I say smiling.
When the conversation gets heated, Raj jumps out of Ash's arms, gives Daiwik a menacing (for him) look, and then hides behind Vykral.
After things settle down, Ash steps toward Daiwak, almost bumping chest to chest with him. "We're here to assist with the larger problem of raiders that are setting upon numerous villages. Would you have us abandon those people? These decisions are tough, but do not imply that we don't care what happens to this one village."
With that said, he turns and backs off.
"What is the greater good Ashwatthama... the evil we see in front of our very faces or the evil that we may or may not find if we abandon these people?", I say not shrinking as the affront to my personal space is perpatrated. "Show me the peril to these villages I can help tonight... I am there. Give me a more immanent peril that I can help stave off... I am at your disposal; yet, how many of these raiders have you seen in your travels so far? I will gladly assist you in any way I can with the threat they pose. I commend you for your passion and, without doubt, will rely on the strength of your sword arm in the days to come, but I cannot, in good conscience, turn my back on these people that are threatened here... now."
"Thhhhppppppptttttttt." Raj gives Daiwik a raspberry as he runs from Vykral back to Ash, who ignores the priest.
So as Jah flies off into he afternoon sun, the party shoulders its packs and prepares to move to the mines. Hosk delcares his intent to stay behind and set up billets for the company, and wishes you all luck.
The trail is narrow, and hemmed in by vegetation on all side. It is hot, and the humidity makes the sweat just run down your skin, providing relief only to the insects that swarm around your heads, and bite your exposed flesh.
Mahuman explains "We have three mines, but one has been tapped out. The mine furthest upstream is where we cache the stones for transport, we will take you there"
I'll go in front of Dram
Percep <-- my percep is only a 1 should be an 18 instead sorry
Ash takes point, bow drawn and arrow nocked. "All eyes," he says, before embarrassingly remembering that he led the group into an ambush. Just the same, he keeps his own eyes sweeping over the terrain for anything unusual, including out of place tracks.
I trust in the eyes and ears of my comrades as I silently say a prayer to The Unbeheld.
Ok, so back to front
Dram >Crisk >Vyk> Daiwik > Ash
Everyone BUT Daiwik
Dram
Ash
Dram bends over to pick up some of the amethyst and the black stone. "Mahuman, what is the difference between these stones. I know this one is an amethyst, but what is this black one? and why does it look like people have been going to the tapped out mines lately."
Ash drops back to speak with the group, without keeping his eyes off their surroundings. In a whisper, he says, "There are tracks of other races, mostly from human and common raks travelling across our trail. Stay alert." He then retakes his position on the point, moving carefully down the trail.
Dram bends over to pick up some of the amethyst and the black stone. "Mahuman, what is the difference between these stones. I know this one is an amethyst, but what is this black one? and why does it look like people have been going to the tapped out mines lately."
Mahuman looks panicked for a moment, then says "Oh, it's just some dross from the mining process. And it has been an unusually dry year."
Dram
Hands a couple of the stones to Crisk to look at.
Dram
Crisk
Crisk hangs back and whispers to Dram in Aquan.
"So tell me more about this middle mine? and more about this dross did you call it? This is pretty fancy looking obsidian, oops, I meant dross, you know my brother knows a little about things natural. If you want us to find out what is going on with this undead, you have to be a little more trusting."
@ Dram
@ Daiwik
"Message taken, lead on."
Ash catches bits of conversation, but is more occupied with the tracks crossing the trails.
As I pick up stones feeling their weight and smoothness (careful to not pick up any obsidian), I ponder lessons in the region's history as to the legality of it. Thinking silently to myself, "Why would it be illegal to mine obsidian?
Daiwik
As the sun makes it was towards the western horizon, the jungles shadows lengthen and darken.
Ash
"Come, there is food and shelter at the last mine, for the porters and overseers." Mahuman urges the group forward.
Ash pulls up short and stops, holding his hand up to silently indicate everyone else should do the same. "Sssst! Raj! Here boy," he calls.
DMender:
Ash pulls up short and stops, holding his hand up to silently indicate everyone else should do the same. "Sssst! Raj! Here boy," he calls.
DMender:
** spoiler omitted **
Ash
Ash points to a spot about 15' to the west of the trail. Ducking into a crouch, he puts his bow on the ground, and draws his sword.
Crisk noticing Ash's change in posture goes on the defensive.
Vykral's cheery song stutters to silence as she notices the serious demeanor of her companions. "Ash, trouble?"
I crouch and turn my profile sidways so as to make myself less of a target.
As the party responds to Ash's alert, Mahuman and the other Naga form a defensive ring of spears, slightly behind the party. "Never hurts to be cautious, but remember, it may just be one of my villagers going back and forth from the mines."
The jungle, however, is quiet here, as if hiding from someone.
Or something....
Dram quickly scans the surrounding jungle.
Dram
It is too quiet...
Dram whispers to the rest of the group about the broken and bent grass and points at it.