New Kurn - Enemy's Slumber: 2nd of Dominary

[Skrye [AC3; 48/48HP]]

- Nodding at the bird-woman - "Not much we can do but, if I can ask, which is your role in this scenery? A pouncing huntress, methodical mystic, fierce warrior...? Surely if just us have been called to, will be because as a pack, as a party, we should complement together in some kind of synergy, like in an ant colony" - leaving the question without a clear end, as if she's missing some other positions in a self-sustained group, as she believes this is

[Attilius]

Jul 25, 2023 23:10:49 GMT -12 Skrye [AC3; 48/48HP] said:

- Nodding to big HurK - "I don't know what did you do or to whom but try to change the way you do things, meld with the environment like an hatori and leave the heat of the pack chasing you fade away.."

"Pretty words Eslyk, but NOTHING is safe from the Way if enough focus and energy is put into it. We'll just have to be careful and maybe find some more phase spider silk, if we're lucky..." he shrugs

[Coden Rokos (Jesse H.)]

"At the time I had a dampening helm affixed around my head, so my options were limited," says Coden. "Alas, I'm not skilled in psychoportation, so all I could really do was stumble from one place to another as I made my escape as best I could. Difficult circumstances don't always allow for ideal solutions."

[DM Bob]

The Templarate of Kurn, home of the Tribunal and its Tribunes, is located in a gently spired building at the end of a white cobblestone street. These spires would be impressive if it were not for the White Mountains that surrounded the fertile valley of New Kurn. Plants grew everywhere, civic gardening eventually fading into more widespread agriculture within the natural walls and the man-made ones that Fort Protector lay beyond. The only betrayal of peace was the dark hued apparel of those of Oronis' Black Lances, whose reputation was kept in part by their menacing gear. These psychic warriors prided on looking the part of an evil ruler's entourage... tattoos, piercings, wild eyes and trophies of fingers and ears ringing their necklaces and belts. It was known that often before they rode forth into battle or defense that they'd use glamours and illusion to appear even more menacing. Sometimes glowing red eyes, horns and sharpened teeth were seen. At other times, thunder crashed when they rode full charge. Or perhaps a cacophony of sinister noise and chatter could be heard.

But it was all ruse and parlor tricks coupled with preserver-fueled dweomers and psionic embellishment.

They did stick out like a sore thumb as the heroes entered the building. They were directed to the central round, the chamber that the Tribunal and its council roosted. Members of the council were elected and held positions for no more than five years. The current Presider, or council leader was a half-elf woman by the name of Ulali. It is the second year of her five year term... and you've never seen such a productive civic leader. Her goals were Oronis' and she was elected on the promise of finding new allies for New Kurn.

Oronis himself was not into running the day-to-day operations in New Kurn. He oft pretended to be a stereotypical monarch in the old city or spearheaded the restoration of the valley within the New City's walls. Other times he went missing for weeks, even months, working on spearheading his evolution and continuing absolution.

The dark agafari wood round table within the aptly named central round was low, and ringed with cushions of green and browns. Elven musicians were about with stringed instruments rarely seen by non-elves, as well as the occasional flutist. The music was soft and not meant to intrude upon the council proper. Currently, only the azure robed Ulali and a large coppery critic lizard were sitting council and she motions for you to join her.

"Welcome, dear allies. Come join me at the table for we have much to discuss. I would like to honor you with the chance to extend our friendship to the Kreen Empire to the West, beyond the Glowing Desert and below the Grand Cliff of the Ancients. Our sages have decided that the lack of the Messenger gracing our skies predestines new beginnings; not the dark tidings that others have seen. I value your queries and concerns before going into further detail; I hope you have been enjoying our hospitality. Your work helping the Lances repel the mul raiders last month at our client village of Ger has been pre-interview for this mission, Syndic speaks highly of you and your tactics." She looks directly to Hurk and Niachi. They had indeed ridden out with the Black Lances, triumphed and been lauded with honors at how quickly they'd helped repel the threat. Syndic, their team lead, was an older, grizzled vet (and fun to work with).

[Skrye [AC3; 48/48HP]]

- The young halfling with messed hair, was looking all around wherever she was lead to, like a cautious cub looking at a new den, not in fear but in curiosity.

- "Thank you very much for your kindness" - smiling at the Half-elf as Eslyk scratches her shoulder soundly - "Sorry" - trying to apologise her behaviour, something so common in her society but wrongly seen in others - "I see.." - looking seriously at the Half-giant HurK, the elf Niachi and Chat'cho, the Tri-kreen.

The wild Halfling turned her head back at their female host, Ulali, paying good attention to her words

[AthasianLaborer]

Jul 26, 2023 4:54:44 GMT -12 Skrye [AC3; 48/48HP] said:

- Nodding at the bird-woman - "Not much we can do but, if I can ask, which is your role in this scenery? A pouncing huntress, methodical mystic, fierce warrior...? Surely if just us have been called to, will be because as a pack, as a party, we should complement together in some kind of synergy, like in an ant colony" - leaving the question without a clear end, as if she's missing some other positions in a self-sustained group, as she believes this is

"Of course you may ask!" Ande says as she flushes with pride.  "I provide invaluable advice and companionship to Oronis.  My mentor has seen fit to entrust me with numerous tasks ranging from advisory roles to information gathering to the dissemination of important information and materials!"

"As a matter of fact, I feel as though we should gather, please follow me and we shall learn what the Tribunal has to say"

OOC: Apologies on the delayed post, I had a number of things going on today, tried to post like a segue between Eslyk asking Ande the question and us moving into the meeting. I am trying to portray her as a bit of an arrogant Leo, er, Tyrospur but I don't imagine her being quite so bitchy as to outright snub an ally like that.

[Skrye [AC3; 48/48HP]]

- The female Halfling looks at the bird-woman, nodding at her

[OOC: it's ok, no worries. Wish everything goes well. I'm trying to portray Eslyk's low CHA as bad manners and lack of personal hygiene as a wild halfling, and not just as lack of physical beauty, as to change somehow the stereotype of that low stat. Will see if I'm able to..]

[Attilius]

Jul 26, 2023 8:05:58 GMT -12 DM Bob said:

They did stick out like a sore thumb as the heroes entered the building.

The massive Psion nods, smiles and give the warrior’s handshake to the tatted and pierced warriors he and Niachi have shed blood with.

Jul 26, 2023 8:05:58 GMT -12 DM Bob said:

"Welcome, dear allies. Come join me at the table for we have much to discuss...

HurK looks for an appropriately sized seat. If none are present he’ll sit crisscross next to the table so as not to destroy their “little chairs.”

Jul 26, 2023 8:05:58 GMT -12 DM Bob said:

"Welcome, dear allies. Come join me at the table for we have much to discuss. I would like to honor you with the chance to extend our friendship to the Kreen Empire to the West, beyond the Glowing Desert and below the Grand Cliff of the Ancients. Our sages have decided that the lack of the Messenger gracing our skies predestines new beginnings; not the dark tidings that others have seen. I value your queries and concerns before going into further detail; I hope you have been enjoying our hospitality. Your work helping the Lances repel the mul raiders last month at our client village of Ger has been pre-interview for this mission, Syndic speaks highly of you and your tactics." She looks directly to Hurk and Niachi. They had indeed ridden out with the Black Lances, triumphed and been lauded with honors at how quickly they'd helped repel the threat. Syndic, their team lead, was an older, grizzled vet (and fun to work with).

“Ah yes, well then…” HurK nods his thanks to the grizzled vet for the praise.
“Syndic is a smart cookie and we enjoyed helping the Black Lances keep Ger safe, didn't we Niachi?" He chuckles as he elbows her in the shoulder just enough to NOT knock her off her chair and on to the floor.
 He turns back to their host with a more serious face "As to extending your friendship to the western Kreen, what did you have in mind? Mayhaps the delivery of a gift from THE BOSSMAN? And who are we specifically delivering this 'friendship token' to? Just the first kreen crew we bump into?” He asks scratching his chin stubble.

[Deleted]

Chat'cho feels notably out of place in these surroundings. She's never been great with buildings--having grown up out of doors, she has always been wary of any location in which she cannot see the sky. The air here is a bit cool for her taste, and she can't help but wonder if the humidity here is already giving her Chitin Rot. Her body language is quite uneasy, though this would be almost impossible to determine by anyone not familiar with Thri-Kreen body language. She can't seem to figure out where she's supposed to stand, constantly moving from one place to another to gain a different vantage point on those present. She manages to distract herself by ogling any Aarakocra that happen to be present--mainly the Templar in her company already--but the mention of the Kreen Empire sends a shock through her, immediately bringing her back to reality. Racial memory had it that the Kreen Empire, far away to the north and east, was a place of incomprehensible power and great terror. The Thri-Kreen, her countrymen, were considered savages at best in comparison to this greatest of civilizations. Chat'cho dreamed of being worthy of such a place, but there could be no doubt that seeking it was one of the most insane things an individual could ever do.

"Make xhriends with the mmighty ones? Unlikely. They are great and terri*le, all the Thri-Kreen are and mmore. What haxhe we to oxher themm? Whatexher they wish to haxhe they either already *ossess or can simm*ly take *y xhorce. There is a signixhicant chance that they will send our di*lomats *ack here without their heads."

[Coden Rokos (Jesse H.)]

"That's why we're the diplomats."

[Deleted]

"I amm unsure ixh the Kreen Em*ire is xhammiliar with the conce*t oxh 'di*lommats.' The only other xhaction ca*a*le oxh gixhing themm *ause are the Sorcerer-Kings, and they remmain *lissxhully unaware oxh their existence."

Chat'cho's butchered Common is starting to get really egregious now.

[DM Bob]

Niachi rolls with Hurk's gentle shove, one of his gangly arms shooting out to almost-counterbalance the momentum, a familiar routine to them both. He nods in respect to the druid and the Balican while addressing their host (and noting the clothing and instruments of the elven musicians - is that a Water Finder's perhapssadian?)

"Presider Ulali, Chat'cho and Coden breathe wisdom. You have gathered such the nasty pack of mental mutators, silken speakers and stabby bastards under an omen that whispers parley. We can deliver, as you know. But what do we offer them?

"Maybe the question is: What does Kurn want from this kingdom of chitin and venom?"

***

She smiles and chuckles at Coden's remark.

"Yes. Yes, I believe you'll do. Oronis understands that power respects power. So we have something to offer as a gift."

The Presider claps twice. Two free servants leave; then return carrying a small tree in a large handled clay pot. A single, small golden pear hangs heavily from one of the few branches.

"The Kreen have one weakness. That is their own short lives. This is the remedy... perhaps not for all, but for those who crave power within their clutches. Oronis has the ability, as do some druids, to begat more of these saplings. We can do so... for the simple price of friendship."

She breathes in and out deeply as her eyes widen in fervor.

"For this tree can extend one's life beyond the norm. Behold, a tree of youth."

[Deleted]

Chat'cho leans toward it, producing a soft, squealing coo.

"I understand. This would *e highly desira*le to themm. *erhaps this task is not so utterly doommed as it xhirst a*eared."

[Coden Rokos (Jesse H.)]

The Balician human furrows his brow and says, "Interesting. But why would you... hmm... oh, I see. Long game."

[Attilius]

The psion squints down at the small Golden pear then slams his open palm down on the table with a deep low bellow of a laugh. In between wiping away tears of hearty jovial laughter he spits out "We're a pricey fruit cart team now!"

After calming down a bit to light chuckles he nods to the speaker "Aye a grand gesture indeed Lady Ulali, to extend one's life is no small gift... I just hope it doesn't rot by the time we get there..." he laughs some more.