The Presider speaks. Enemy's Slumber: 2nd of Dominary

[DM Bob]

Ulali cuts your dialogue short.

"Whoa, reign it in there." She makes two fingers in a slight slicing motion as if to cut you off.

"*You* needn't make any travel plans. They are made already if you choose to accept our mission. We will open a wormhole east of a small city of mixed kreen. From there, you are to avoid being subjugated and befriend any black chitin J'ez Tohr-kreen that you may encounter. From there, find a larger settlement and try to broker a deal that would guarantee us some strong allies. We also want to know anything that may betray any possible plans to invade the Tablelands or anything regarding the undead bugs we believe to be harrying their southern borders. As far as we can tell, the singular head of the Empire resides further North and might not even view the Deadlands as a threat."

"Once we transport you there, there's nothing keeping you from traveling back... as long as you stay focused to our original goal. Our hope is that a strong, small group of individuals will not be viewed as a militant threat. As far as mental communication? We'd prefer that this is kept between you... and us in New Kurn. Our telepath, who Hurk will be meeting tomorrow may be mentally contacted who will relay any messages to the Tribunal directly."

"You have three days to pack. Tomorrow, we will gather information from your goliath. The day after, we will evaluate this new information. You will leave in the morning of the 5th. Mounts can be provided for, as well as rations and water... and anything within reason that you wish to bring. Tents, lances, bows, etc... Questions?"

[Niachi]

Jul 30, 2023 8:55:18 GMT -12 DM Bob said:

We will open a wormhole east of a small city of mixed kreen. From there, you are to avoid being subjugated and befriend any black chitin J'ez Tohr-kreen that you may encounter. From there, find a larger settlement and try to broker a deal that would guarantee us some strong allies. We also want to know anything that may betray any possible plans to invade the Tablelands or anything regarding the undead bugs we believe to be harrying their southern borders.

The elf awakens from a meditative pose in a dark corner. He pauses to soak in some sunlight as if thawing out from a very cold place, slowly flexing his digits.

"Presider: Our intent to remote recon may be foiled by methods including dreamspider silk or unknown barriers.
What basics can we gather from Captain Syndic and the Lances, AND the other military arms of Kurn regarding:

For the small city: approximate population, and breakdown of kreen subraces, known allies and threats? For negotiating..."

He clears his throat and gurgles out a deep reverberating "Krrut Tah!" I speak enough Braxat to get by.
You know by now our intent to gather more of that special webbing. If you know of any regional goblinspider nations (tapping his boot on the floor three times in some sort of signal) I have diplomatic status with their culture. As their kind do not use webs of any sort, this would be an opening dialogue concerning the ethereal arachnids.

We would bring samples of known desired commodities including various oils and compounds of flammable nature, if such things are unknown to them. My understanding is that the kreen as a whole do not use fire. At least I have not run across a fire priest of their kind before.

For overland transport I defer to my team, as I will walk or run, or use HurK Transport Services for speed.

Before departure, The city's markets will provide enough materiel (the military use of this word) for bows, crossbows, and other missile weapons we use."

These are the most words he has spoken in weeks.

[DM Bob]

"Kreen clutches are hard to quantify, as they tend to overlap. The city, if you can call it that, houses at least a thousand of mixed mantis folk. At the most? I think the odd buildings of resinous domes that I've scried could hold fifteen hundred to two thousand souls? But it's hard to get an accurate read, as their buildings are so *different* than ours.

As far as the Lances, they have not been there as far as I know... perhaps in the distant past if Oronis had business there? But it is far from likely since they tend to keep our borders, farms and satellite villages safe."

She waves her hands and chants. The air smells of bublis berry wine and silver chimes ring.

A still picture of a settlement appears mid air, small amber domes, rather low to the earth is surrounded by tall grasses. Weird membranes stretch from some of the constructs, lending a Geiger-esque feel to the odd scene. A couple taller buildings have threads of the grown or excreted substance and connect like walkways. The illusion is quite detailed, more of a mental snap.

"Again, we plan on dropping you a few miles east of this settlement as to curve any initial surprise."

[Attilius]

When an opening presents itself, the psion asks
"Who or what are these 'black chitin J'ez Tohr-kreen' we are to befriend? And why them? What is the purpose or end goal of this specific racial friendship?"

[Skrye [AC3; 48/48HP]]

- Eslyk looks at Chat'cho, then back to the speaker, once HurK asks her his question - 'Umm...' - as she turns to Chat'cho again - "How different are in relation to you? You are very social"
She raises her left leg towards her right knee to scratch the first one with her right hand.
- "Also, anything you can recall what they like or fear?" - asking with curiosity

[Deleted]

Chat'cho shifts her body weight from one massive, chitinous leg to the other, moving her vestigial antennae in confusing patterns.

"We know little of themm. Their language is mmuch dixherrent xhromm ours, and we do not keep contact. There are stories oxh themm occasionally ranging into our territory xhor xharious *ur*oses in the *ast, *ut I cannot xhouch xhor their xheracity. I can s*eak their tongue, but that is all I can do. We can only ho*e that mmy exhorts will *roxhe suxhient to get us into their good graces."

[AthasianLaborer]

"Madam Presider, thank you, I graciously accept your offer of transport.  I will work doubly hard to investigate these specific Tohr-Kreen for any information that may help us-- unless of course there is something else specific you wish me to assist in?"

[DM Bob]

To the bulk of the group:

"Tohr-Kreen simply means "settled people". The kreen like our friend here (she waves an open palm towards Chat-cho), hail from the blood of nomads and are cousins to the Tohr-Kreen as best as I understand it. The Tohr-Kreen of the West have more than one coloration, build & differences that range from body structure to general character. These J'ez are the most neutral and inquisitive of those that I know... and have been the most diplomatic historically. The Great Meeting in Bodach betwixt the Lawmakers and the J'ez has been well documented in our Library. Those long forgotten accords belayed an incursion to the east long ago, beyond recent memory."

Turning to Ande, The Presider continues in response to her query, "You may learn some tidbits of the Tohr-Kreen in the Great Library... and are more than welcome to peruse the tomes. Sadly, much of the texts explain the individuals in less detail and with light prejudice. Although I may be forgetting some details that may aid you on our quest."

She gestures and wine is brought to the table. Behind that, fruit is brought out in shallow wicker bowls.

"Come share a drink and mull upon any other questions you may have. I have set another hour or so of my day to such matters."

[Coden Rokos (Jesse H.)]

The Balician human (who still hasn't mentioned his name) moves to join the presider for some fruit and asks, "What are our secondary goals? Intelligence gathering? Material resource scouting and acquisition? Cultural acclimation?"

[DM Bob]

Mentioning his name was never needed, as in New Kurn any new body has to have stated such things - as truth was divined. While the lower caste citizens might not know you, Ulali definitely does have such information. If Coden has expressed a need for secrecy or sensitivity, she would likely grant such a frivolity and not announce it to the rest of the room. You may redact any previous mention before if this is the case.

She savors a sip of the red hued drink and then continues on.

"Material resource acquisition is not a priority. We do not wish to conquer the Tohr-Kreen or occupy their territory. Unless something like iron or copper were divined would we consider sending others to source it. The Kreen do not mine as far as I know and the cost of doing such business would be insane without having further alliances and friendships made."

"We are always interested in their general numbers in the towns, cities, encampments as well as the traffic along the heavier paths, or I dare say roads in the most general sense of the term. This can prepare us if the Empire is ever totally motivated to head east. One of our worries is if the mantis folk are over-stretching their prey or water in any grand way... it may cause them to regard us as the solution."

"And cultural knowledge is highly valuable. While I've, we've, been able to scry here-and-there, much of it is alien to us."

[Attilius]

While listening, HurK waits until everyone has their share of fruit before taking a few baskets and starts snacking. He tosses them in his open maw like a kid devours skittles watching a movie.

[Niachi]

Niachi fills his cup and selects a fruit he has never seen. Takes a big juicy bite and an appreciative swallow of the vintage offered. He's had better, but when life hands you wine...

"I will reach out to allies here in Kurn for this same information, and my options for contingencies in the field. I would also enjoy a few years -er- hours in your Great Library!

This last comment punctuated by a sigh. Repositories of written knowledge are something his tribe knows (and guards).

[Attilius]

The half giant stares at a fruit at the bottom of the basket for a long minute then blurts out
"Do Kreen farm? I know they are some of the best hunters and trackers in the tablelands, but do others plant crops?" he asks as he picks up the fruit and tosses it two feet straight up before catching it and repeating the process...

[Skrye [AC3; 48/48HP]]

- Eslyk grabs a couple of different and consistent fruits and gives them a bite, tasting them, slowly, without any rush - "Which type of terrain is that where they live?" - as she gives another soundly crunch to the piece of fruit - "Mmm.. This is so tasty, thank you" - with a big smile

[Deleted]

Chat'cho rolls her shoulders. "I know that our kind nexher *other with cro*s. Ixh they do, they are xhery dixherent xhrom us, indeed."