Not Altaruk.

[DM Bob]

The nikaal are back.

This is a good thing as it keeps the pakubrazi away. Mak had no use for his guarded lands having mutated wildlife... and with too much time a bloodsucking bug-beast could sully an entire water supply with their vile mutagens.

The elder of the blue skinned reptilians nods and gestures to Kri-kcht with a jagged circular pole ax.

"Where are your friends kreen?" He questions in the trade tongue. "I remember you. You fought a pair of megapedes, no?"

The twenty-some odd others gather about and cock their heads.

The leader turns to the druid.

"We'll be on our way soon. The waters are low right now. The people will head to the Edge for our fill."

[Attilius]

HurK's eyes widen at the sight of this new reptilian Blue Man Group. He studies and stares at them quizzically as most Half giants do at something they've never seen before.

[Deleted]

Mak bows to the Nikaal elder. "You are welcome to stay as long as you need, the waters will replenish. Thank you for your concern."

Mak will speak to several of the plants and wildlife to hear if any trouble has transpired while he was away.

Upon returning to the Nikaal group Mak will ask. "When your people leave, in which direction are you heading?"

[remie]

To the blue lizard: #¤° Kri-kcht 'ent to Urik 'ith friends. Got se'arated and now here again.
Can 'e make camp here?*¤°"

[Skrye [AC3; 48/48HP]]

- Kem looks at the new creatures, to their exotic weapons and leaves Mak to do the talk

[DM Bob]

"The Edge. West. But since you are not in a hurry to be rid of the people?" He glances back and calls to another pole ax wielder. "Chu-Te. Have we trade?" The other younger nomad nods. Turning back to your group, he states, "We have trade if you have trade."

The Nikaal have various useful items for barter or coin.

Wooden breastplates (would cover a 6' tall humanoid torso), a klarr hide cloak, leather shields, water skins made from some sort of animal bladders, megapede claws, coarse salt and meat jerky. Needles of bone. Thin yarn. Fire kits. Torches.

Weapons of stone, obsidian and knapped flint. Javelins, knives, spears and blowguns.

Mak's hidden land feature is on the cusp of grasses and rust reddish scrub. There are rock features, but also patches of pale sand. The wind here is loud; almost deafening at times. The other odd thing is that the air doesn't feel as dry as you're accustomed. While it blows hard and warm, the heat clings. Causing more sweat than you're used to.

That wouldn't be affecting your new trading friends, being lizardesque and all.

If you look closely, insects - both flying and crawling are seen. A few rodents with big front teeth scatter here and there. Snakes, scorpions and other small things can be found if one looks hard enough.

Looking up? There seems to be more aerial life about as well. Faint larger things can be seen far to the North. Mak would know that they're most likely wyvern or cloud ray.

To the south? Short rocky land, badland and worn, ancient peaks can be seen before larger mountains way, way further back. Behind you (west), sheer horizon. Almost impossibly flat.

[Niachi]

Laakh unclenches a bit observing the new situation. Nods hello to the gathering. Recons their numbers, their weapons, camp, the horizons around us... Deciding on what psi to bring to the next few rounds. glances to the others when all are here. Mindlink to HurK:

<Cheese for their Good stuff? Any trade will build relations.>

He strolls up to the druid and the nikaal speaker:

"I Trade these goggles. They help with the sun and the grit. And they give... style. Can we see your cloaks, daggers, firekits...?"


Looks to others.

[Attilius]

Apr 16, 2021 15:00:47 GMT -12 Niachi said:

Mindlink to HurK:

<Cheese for their Good stuff?

the half giant loudly snorts
<Unless something is very rare or magical, I rather NOT. These cheeses are our emergency energies and not easily come by. I'll scan them...>

Bob, HurK concentrates on his inner nexus and attempts to see any arcane auras on everyone and their worn gear and trading wares.

[See Magic 19, rolled 16 = success; -6 PsP's

The psionicist can use this power to perceive wizardly magic, including magical items, effects, and potential. Any enchanted items, scrolls, spell-books, or potions glow faintly in the psionicist's vision. He can see continuing spell effects such as a fire trap, wall of stone, or even a character under the influence of a charm person spell. See magic does not give the user the ability to determine what kind of magic is being used; all he would know is that the item or person radiates magical energy.

If the psionicist passes his power check with a roll of 10 or better. he also can see the spell potential of a magic-using character. A high-level wizard who has used up all of his spells would not have much potential, but one who had not expended any memorized spells would glow very brightly. This ability cannot detect priestly magic of any kind.]

[Niachi]

<That is my definition of Good stuff.>

[Deleted]

Mak pulls out his two enchanted stones and displays them so the Nikaal leader can understand their function both individually and together.

"I am willing to trade but I seek information. We are tracking a defiler from the city of Tyr. I understand he was recently seen among the raiding tribes of the Glowing Desert. Tell me what you know of the wizard, the tribes and the desert. In exchange you can have my magic rocks. Their magic will last several lifetimes."

Looking over to his Thri-kreen companion he says, "Fill in the blanks with your knowledge as well friend. This was we all know the course set before us."

[Attilius]

Apr 16, 2021 15:46:04 GMT -12 Niachi said:

<That is my definition of Good stuff.>

<mental nod>

[ascieszl]

Kleys will offer to trade some of his collected herbs for coarse salt / meat jerky / Needles of bone / Thin yarn / Fire kits. (anything light and easy to carry.)

[DM Bob]

The only thing that radiates magic is the old lizard leader's odd circular pole ax.

"Warlocks are found with the towns of the wastes of the White Sands. Raiders, savage, hard to get along with. Seven towns surround the Claw Gorge. We trade not with them unless we can see for miles and we out number by twice. Even then..." He shrugs. "Tribes? There are a few small herders that run this way and that along the Edge. They need to worry about the sky threats though. The winds here are strong, druid. They are worse over the pale sands... and cry louder than a baazrag's rutting."

Chu-Te adds, pointing at Mak's mount. "You will have a hard time flying most days into the wind. She fights savagely from the north & west to the south & east... rarely she shifts... unless you go high, like the ray."

[Skrye [AC3; 48/48HP]]

- Kem awaits at this moment, seeing so many of her party trading, looking how they do to improve herself too, and gets closer to Yishka, and in low voice, no whisper - I like how people can sort things out and socialise just by trading. By the way, remind me later to talk with you, now I'd like to trade myself, I found something interesting in their wares - Kem gets by the improvised marketplace and when the opportunity comes, she talks with one of the new creatures - I am interested in the megapede claws. How many ceramic bits do you value each?

[Attilius]

Mentally to Laakh <Only the the old lizard leader's circular pole ax has wizard magic on it...>

Apr 17, 2021 8:10:24 GMT -12 DM Bob said:

...unless you go high, like the ray.

HurK's eyes track skyward and begin to watch the flying creatures far off in the distance.