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"Never did say they found the werecreature just that it's choice of animals spelled the end of the tigers ion this island." Laughing at the memory of the creature bouncing off trees as it ran off until it passed beyond the limits of his spell. "Anyways, what time is it? I was enjoying the most fine dream of a soft bed, aged wine and erhmph...oh nevermind the rest of that. What time is it?"
The rest of the night passes without incident. The first light of morning sees Master Bvar follow the deep claw marks in the earth into the undergrowth. He chuckles as he spots encrusted blood and claw marks on several great trees headed north east. He returns and laughs, "I don't think he saw that coming, ho ho! I think we've seen the last of him, well he's certainly seen the last of us unless I'm much mistaken!"
Bvar seems very pleased with his wordplay this morning.
Bala leads you south and while the journey is hot sweaty and at times physically hard going when you have to use machetes to cut a path, nothing of note happens on the way. In fact the incessant niggling feeling that you are being watched goes, at least for the first two nights. Finally on the the third day, after weeks of travel through varied and difficult terrain. The steep heavily vegetated hillside opens out onto a small village, each of its roughly twenty huts raised on tall bamboo stilts. Goats, pigs, and other animals stand tethered or in pens. The acrid smell of farm animal and what you presume is tanning leather assaults your noses.
Bala wrinkles his nose, points at the settlement and says one word, "Leckumgee."
Finally arriving at their destination Pratavh can't help but be relieved. Weeks of trecking through the jungle and and muck, the dangers along the way, they have reached Leckumgee. He quickly looks for Hirati and waves her over. Once she arrives he says, "Please, stay close and out of trouble, we do not know exactly what we are walking into here and the less attention we draw to ourselves the better."
The little dragon's wings droop and she whines, "That's so boring Prat!" She gets a crafty look on her face, "What's it worth to you?"
Pratavh glares at her a moment and says, "Our lives Hirati, if you cause trouble it could get us all killed very quickly. Would you really want that?" The dragon droops her head, obviously upset by the admonishment compliant, at least for now. Pratavh continues, "And when we get back to the capitol I'll buy you something special." He gets a crafty look on his face, "And you can play with Pradip for a while as well, I am sure the two of you can get into all sorts of mischief together." Hirati does a crazy flying flip twirl and then lands on Pratavh's head, obviously much happier with the situation now that she will be aptly rewarded for her good behavior.
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Remembering Hirati's penchant for trouble Alwyn offers his services to Mohktar or Shiko.
"I can make you invisible for 8 minutes to scout the town and get in position to provide over watch as we come down into town. Once your 8 minutes is up you'll need to rely on your own more than adequate abilities to remain hidden."
Shikyo nods at Alwyn I'll go...
And he does just that, moving around and searching as swiftly as he can.
Returning to the group sometime later, Shikyo says Nothing in the open...we might need to do a more in depth investigation. Or, we could begin killing them now, because they are probably all cultists.
"I've no objection to a good fight, what do you say guys?"
*Questioning smile towards Alwyn & Mohktar & Pratavh*
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"While a good fight sounds like a wonderful idea, 'The brave heroes enter the town a massacre all the women and children' just doesn't play well to the tavern crowd back home. I believe we might have need of at least a little proof....before resorting to Shikyo's plan of action" Alwyn replies with a smile of his own.
Master Bvar folds his arms and harrumphs, "They're just a bunch of yokels. How much trouble can they be? No we need to be on the lookout for this dragon... I bet my hat, one of those mountain peaks is it's lair." His eyes go misty and it's clear he's imagining the glory of slaying a real live dragon!
"Nah, Alwyn, i wouldn't attack people for no good reason.
You aught to know by now."
Bala eyes Bvar with derision. He may not speak the trade tongue, but he knows Bvar and mutters darkly, "Bvar āpa halkē yahām̐ sē calanā cāhi'ē. Isa pantha kī ghāṭī hai, saba usakī chāyā mēṁ hai..."
Giving Shikyo a rather disturbed look Pratavh replies to Alwyn's question, "Whether they are all cultists or not is not the point, we do not kill the innocent along with the guilty. Nor do I think we really want to deal with the whole village if they are all cultists, it would be more than we can handle. I think we need to ascertain whether they are cultists or not and then plan accordingly."
Hirati, looking at Bala and picking up on the subtle body language that is one of the prankster's most valuable queues, thinks to Pratavh, Lilly, Shikyo, and Alwyn, Something has BB all worried about this place. He want's to leave quickly.
Do not say I did not warn you. This island is cursed, and this place is the center of it... Shikyo says Where would we begin looking?
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"I know you wouldn't Lilly" Alwyn replies with a smile once more. "But Master Bvar, should one of these peaks be the dragons lair, would you wish to search them all during the rainy season or go ask in the tavern and perhaps narrow the options down to one or two."
Turning to Master Bala "Śāyada ḍraigana kē bārē mēṁ viśēṣa rūpa sē pūcha rahā dī yahām̐ mūrkha hō sakatā hai. Hama saca hai ki māsṭara aura Balah śikāra kara rahē haiṁ, kyā jānavarōṁ āma taura para isa kṣētra mēṁ śikāra kiyā jā'ēgā, ki isa kē rūpa mēṁ ēka samūha isa taraha kē mūlyāṅkana kaisē karēṅgē? Yaha hamēṁ vaidha tarīkē sē jānakārī dī ga'ī hai ēka bāra jaldī sē āgē baṛhanē kē li'ē savāla aura bhī kāraṇa pūcha rahē haiṁ yahām̐ hōnē kā kāraṇa dēnā hōgā."
"Why not the tavern, or what passes for one in this town?" in response to Shikyo's question.
Bala eyes Alway dubiously and eventually sighs, "Prapatra kī khātira ēka kāraṇa hai? Vaisē maiṁ vahām̐ lagatā hai jahāṁ ēka samaya mēṁ cōṭiyōṁ mēṁ Wyverns aura ogres. Kō'ī bhī vāstava mēṁ jānatā hai, jahāṁ hālāṅki, kahīṁ dakṣiṇa yahāṁ kī prācīna kāla sē ēka baunā mērā hō rahē cāhi'ē thā."
Is there some central place in this hamlet? A tavern like Alwyn said?
If so, Shikyo speaks the language and will attempt to gather some information about nefarious goings on...
Lilly, cautiously however, socializes with the townsfolk alongside Shiko.
Pratavh nods in agreement with the plan, "I think we do need information and this is the only place to get any for now. We might as well go down and ask around." He looks at Hirati and says, "Stay close little one, I want you nearby so we can both keep a lookout for me so that I do not get ambushed by these cultists." With that he heads with Alwyn since he and Hirati seem to make a good team when it comes to charming the children though he keeps his mouth shut and lets Alwyn do the talking.
When your group of, by Jalmeray's standards, highly exotic adventures turns up pretty much everyone in the village comes out to greet you. Ranging from the smallest child to their headwoman, a severe looking middle-aged woman named Shreya. There's a general air of excitement and the cry of, "Āgantukōṁ!" goes up repeatedly.
Half a dozen voices assail you at once,
"Niswan sē khabara kyā hai?"
"Āpa kyā jāti kara rahē haiṁ?"
"Tuma yahām̐ kyōṁ kara rahē haiṁ, tuma kahām̐ sē āyā?
"Kyā āpa bhūkhē haiṁ? Tvarita vadha bachaṛā! Hama ēka dāvata taiyāra karanā hōgā."
"Āpakā nāma kyā haiṁ? Āpa jñāna kī talāśa kē li'ē ā'ē haiṁ?"
Some of the children point and stare at Lilly, and of course Hirati... There are more gasps of amazement and delight with Alwyn's tricks.
1. What is the news from Niswan?
2. What caste are you?
3. Why are you here, where did you come from?
4. Are you hungry? Quick slaughter the calf! We must prepare a feast.
5. What are your names? Have you come to seek wisdom?
Lilly is too busy being observed, to notice the age restriction.
"These folk look at me weird.....so is Bvar, for some reason.
I can guess of a reason, one they can stuff where the sun don't shine."
The reason that comes to her mind makes a vein slightly twitch on her temple. It's just the children around her that refrain her from pulling a slightly annoyed face.
In broken Vudrani:
"My friend here is good with his magics.
Now, on an entirely different matter...., as she then looks the adults right in the eyes, ..i saw some of those fingers pointed at me, while you were holding hands. I'll have you know that i am quite happy as i am, unbound by marriage. I simply haven't met the sort of man who takes my fancy. Plus, i am thusfar an example that men aren't the strongest gender in combat."
She casually points at the big sword on her back.
Most of the women look at Lilly as if she came from another planet. She's so totally out of their expectations they don't know what to do or say.
The headwomen of the Village, suddenly makes herself known, "Āgantukōṁ! Acchā acchā! Hamēṁ khabara batānē kē li'ē ātē haiṁ. Hama apanē bachaṛē aura hamārē penj, aura hama Celibrate āja rāta kā his'sā!"
There is a sudden nodding and enthusiasm from the majority of the towns folk and preparations for the feast begin.
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Alwyn creates a beautiful image of one of the fountains he had seen in the gardens of the Thakur Palace, while speaking with Lord Pandisar. The sound of the water cascading down draws the children and adults alike in to see. Using the fountain as a backdrop he tells the story of a youngling who has been lost and led astray, but was saved by the heroes and would soon be going to a wedding dressed in a beautiful gown; each part of the story influenced by lights and sound.
"Mērē dōsta, mērē dēvatā'ōṁ dvārā chu'ā mālakina lilī, karanē kē li'ē paricaya tō kr̥payā. Vaha kē rūpa mēṁ acchī taraha sē hai ēka swordmistress, kucha isa taraha usakā rūpa mēṁ ēka hathiyāra phirānā aura usē sabasē acchā karanē kī um'mīda kara sakatē haiṁ. ...." with a bow to the village headwoman " Mālakina śrēyā, kī anumati dēgā agara sūraja kī sthāpanā kara rahā hai śāyada, kē rūpa mēṁ hama bāda mēṁ isa śāma kō ēka pradarśana para ḍāla diyā jā'ēgā."
"Hama sabasē adhika apanē gānva kā svāgata dvārā sam'mānita kara rahē haiṁ āpa mālakina śukra hai, hama āpa kē sātha sahāyatā kara sakatē haiṁ ki kucha bhī nahīṁ hai?"
Later Alwyn will be sure to warn the others about the potency of the penj and also that no older villagers have been seen inside the village
:(
Pratavh finds a seat to watch the show that Alwyn gives for the children and simply observes the crowd.
Hirati, on the other hand, inserts herself into the story as the leader of the heroes. She does her best to aid Alwyn in his attempts to impress in addition to watching those around them.
Drugs huh, well not for me.
The villagers watch Alywn and Hirati with rapt attention. One of the village girls in particular seems taken with the antics of the Pseudo gragon. She's a sweet thing of about six seasons known as Shoanti with platted hair, a quick smile and a weeping sore on her left arm.
Shoanti bows formally to each of you in turn when introduced, and replies to Alywn using a formal dialect, "Hām̐, hamēṁ rājadhānī sē khabara batā dīji'ē. Cāya bāgānōṁ kē li'ē na'ē lā'isēnsa kī bāta ka'ī satrōṁ vāpasa nahīṁ thī. Hama tō śāyada hī kabhī yātriyōṁ kē li'ē milatā hai, isē banā'ē rakhanē kē li'ē muśkila hai."
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Taken back momentarily by the formal bearing of someone so young , Alwyn cocks his head to the side admiring the intelligence in the little girl's eyes. She will one day break some man's heart, and quite a few boys as well along the way
"I'm sorry my dear we arrived at the capital during the Festival of Souls, very little was said during that time that did not directly pertain to the activities at hand. Perhaps, I would be able to look into this petition upon our return. Although during our stay there it seems. that the silk trade has endured a bit of a set back, at least at one of their mills. A cleansing fire passed through it, shutting it down completely."
Shreya nods politely when you tell her of those events, but you get the impression she was looking for some other event. Still the mood is congenial and soon there are smells of cooking. The jungle has a great variety of plants and spices and many curious things go into the curry. Judging by the number of chills you get the feeling it's going to be rather hot, but it sure smells good!
Morning turns by degrees into mid day, and finally the first feast of the day is prepared... Sheyra invites you to join as guess of honor, "Hamārī vinamra gānva kē jaṅgala kē ināma Celibrate karanē kē li'ē hamārē sātha juṛanē kā sam'māna karatē haiṁ."
All eyes turn to you.
Pratavh nods and replies to the Shreya's offer, "Maiṁ utsava mēṁ śāmila hōnē kē li'ē sam'mānita kiyā jā'ēgā."
Hirati looks at her biggest fan and sees her arm. The little dragon flies closer and smells the corruption and flies in a panic to Lilly, "LillyLillyLilly! She needs healing!" She gets behind Lilly and begins trying to push her in the direction of the little girl.
Shreya bows to Pratavh and bids you sit. The mood turns to party and there are smiles all round.
The meal turns out to be a spit roast calf marinated in a variety of potent spices with copious rice served up on giant banana leaves* on top of a wooden board. In addition to a healthy portion of curry there is rice, flat breads, two chutneys (one amber colored and sweet, one green and spicy), and four smaller curried vegetable dishes cooked with all manner of unfamiliar jungle spices. The smell is wonderful although you'd have probably used rather less chili...
Everyone eats together and for the most part there's a good sense of community. During the meal Shreya asks in a most formal way, "Sam'mānita yātriyōṁ, maiṁ apamāna karanē kē li'ē sabasē kṣamā cāhatā hūm̐ , lēkina maiṁ āpa kē li'ē sambandhita jāti jō vicāra nahīṁ kara sakatē. Hama cījōṁ kō khaṛā hōnā cāhi'ē ki kaisē jānatē haiṁ tō āpa hamēṁ batā sakatē haiṁ?"
"What's wrong Hirati?"
"Ah, that's just a simply thing."
*Rub the kid over the head*
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At the question of castes;
"Caste? Do you mean lineage or social profession groups?"
The kid gasps when the sore vanishes and she gives you a big hug saying, "Śukriyā, ōha dhan'yavāda!" over and over. Her parents thank you too and ask to talk to you later.
Shreya however seems taken a back that Lilly apparently doesn't know what she means by 'caste'. She frowns slightly and mutters, "Lēkina hara kō'ī ēka jāti hai. Kaisē ēka an'yathā samāja mēṁ apanī jagaha patā kara sakatē haiṁ?"
*Gulps down a small bite*
Lilly didn't quite fancy the narrow concept of restrictions on life via castes. Despite that, she kept her response on neutral grounds.
"Not everybody's got a set role in life.
A soldier's son doesn't follow his father's role per sé, he could grow up to be a proficient blacksmith or stable-master as well as a soldier. A girl could, despite her parents being servants to a lord, have talent to become a translator and become so via chances or events."
Hirati flits around Lilly after healing the girl yelling, "YAY! Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!" The playful dragon then flies down and starts playing tag with the children.
Pratavh smiles indulgently and even laughs at the children's antics. He turns his attention to Lilly as she explains her view on things. He keeps his reply in vudrani to make sure he gets things right, "Āpa cījōṁ kō samajha mēṁ jisa taraha sē vē apanē samāja kō saṅgaṭhita Vudrani kaisē kī tulanā mēṁ kāphī alaga hai."
He turns to Shreya a moment and then continues, "Kisī bhī truṭi śrēyā yāda ātī hai para mērē mātā pitā Absolom mēṁ rājadūta kē rūpa mēṁ thē, maiṁ vudra kē bāhara palē kr̥payā mujhē sahī. Vudrani sanskr̥ti yaha lōgōṁ kō vē kyā um'mīda kara sakatē batātā hai aura ēka dūsarē kē sambandha mēṁ apanī jagaha kō samajhanē mēṁ unhēṁ ēḍsa, hamēśā hamārē li'ē acchā kāma kiyā hai ki ēka praṇālī hai, yaha jāti vyavasthā mēṁ bahuta kaṭhōra hai. Yaha hai ki vē ēka nimna jāti kē haiṁ, sirpha isali'ē ki pratibhā para gujara dvārā an'yāyī kiyā jā sakatā hai, bhalē hī yaha bahuta sthira hai. Yaha ēka varga badalanē kē li'ē, sāmān'ya rūpa sē hī parivartana kī vajaha sē apanē aura apanē parivāra para baṛī śarma kī bāta kō lānē kē li'ē nīcē hai, durlabha paristhitiyōṁ mēṁ sambhava hai, kē bāda kahā. Vahām̐ jā rahē lōgōṁ kā hī durlabha ghaṭanā'ōṁ rahē haiṁ, aura yaha bhī hō sakatā hai ki asādhāraṇa upalabdhiyōṁ sē hamēśā hōtā hai."
He turns to his attention to Shreya once more as he asks, "Saca tō yaha hai ki maiṁ apanē dōstōṁ mēṁ gira jā'ēgā jāti kyā hai patā nahīṁ hai, kahā jā sakatā hai. Lilī yahāṁ sabasē sahī ēka brāhmaṇa kē rūpa mēṁ varṇita kiyā jā'ēgā, ēlvina ēka vaiśya kē rūpa mēṁ prabhāvī hai Shikyomaru hai. Maiṁ janma sē ēka kṣatriya hūṁ. Mujhē lēkina una sabhī kō unakē khaṛī kī nikaṭatama approximations haiṁ kē li'ē, dhyāna rahē. Bhītarī sāgara kṣētra mēṁ jātiyōṁ kā astitva nahīṁ hai aura isali'ē yaha vahām̐ sē una lōgōṁ mēṁ sambandhita jāti kē li'ē nirdhārita kyā muśkila hai."
In common:
"What's a Brahmin?"
Pratavh looks at Lilly and replies in common, "The Brahmin are the religious caste, the priests and most healers as well, fall into this category. Being as you channel diving power of some kind it is the best fit." He looks at Alwyn and Shikyomaru, "The Vaishyas caste are the laborers, farmers, and artisans, it was the closest I could come up with. The Kshatriya, my class by birth, are, effectively, the nobility."
Shikyo raises his eyebrow at Pratavh I see you've appointed yourself as the nobility...and us as the rabble. he says in Common
Pratavh looks at Shikyo with an ammused grin, "I was giving the best approximation I could and I actually am nobody by birth. It doesn't mean quite the same thing as you are used to. Noble, in myy case, means I am born into a family of upper level bureaucrats as opposed to actually nobility as you would think of it."
"The channel of positive energy's about the only thing i have in common with priests.
Sure, priests of faiths can mean well and i won't ever speak badly of the priestess back in the city, but following has so many commitmments, that's not me.
I don't even know which god or entity saw a brawling traders' daughter a fit medium. If any, it's probably one who loves a brawl or rebels....or one with a thing for women who can fight."