A City of Kreen

[DM Bob]

A large kreen of shiny black chitin arrives and rapidly speaks to Kri-kir. This new mantis man's carapace is scrawled with intricate designs in eggshell white and burnt orange, reminiscent of Native American pictographs. He carries a dark shafted gythka and a strange, curved chatkcha. Not of the design you see in the Tablelands. He looks over the entire group... spending the most time looking over at Hurk. It's head cocks and antennae move - almost as if reading the air. He then addresses Chat'cho in Tohr-kreen.

"This is quite the strange clutch you chose to lead. Much respect though, for it seems your goliath has been trained in our arms? I have never seen an overlander with a zerka at their their side. Perhaps he'd fight one of our own... to test his skill? How rude of me. I am J'lact of Nirik-Tohr. I am this clutch."

[Deleted]

Chat'cho hums quietly, briefly eying up the approaching Tohr'Kreen leader.

[Tohr'Kreen] "This one is Chat'cho, guardian of the sand under the mountains. I am keeper of the Gythka of Past and Present, of the Elemental Compass, and of the Waterbane Tree. My arts grant me mastery over life and death alike. A great creature not of the elements has superseded me in my role of protector, so I seek new purpose. This one, mighty desert-swallower, bids me come to you and offer to join our forces."

Chat'cho can't help but feel a little silly wearing her nonsense body paint, but she figures it means as little to them as theirs does to her.

[Tohr'Kreen] "They may act unpredictably. Be wary and, if I may ask it of you, forgiving. I know nothing of this large one, his talents or his intentions. He is called Hurk, and we have not spoken."

[DM Bob]

"Most strange. Is there a lack of hunt in your lands that causes you to make such quick clutchmates? Or do the spirits request some aid, land-speaker? You have peaked the clutches interest. Do enter town and partake in our kills and drink of our water."

He motions for you to follow into the city.

"Do not stop speaking though. We are most curious of you and your tohr."

[Deleted]

She saunters off after him, keeping her eyes on his abdomen.

[Tohr'Kreen] "We will not burden you with our appetites if you do not wish it, though your hospitality is most welcome. Among my abilities are those concerning the creation of sustenance--though admittedly it is no substitute for proper red meat. My lineage is somewhat irregular--a number of druids have protected what was once my charge, and when they grow old, they produce eggs to replace them. For most of my life so far, I have not been around many other Kreen. Indeed, I have not mated as I should have several years ago. I choose these sleepers as my clutch out of necessity. I admit to ineptitude with every weapon besides the throwing disk, and I am not particularly strong. However, I have swiftly advanced in my druidic abilities, and I command powerful magic."

Chat'cho's pheromones make it obvious that she is very pleased to be surrounded by her kin, whether she wishes to express this or not.

[Attilius]

Aug 19, 2023 14:37:43 GMT -12 DM Bob said:

He motions for you to follow into the city.

[Assuming this means the whole group] HurK climbs down and leads the Inix after J'lact and Chat'cho.

[DM Bob]

He scents of curiosity. Was there a tad of hunt thrill as well? This kreen may have more to gain from this interaction than what appears on the surface.

As you weave about the amber domes, numerous kreen poke their heads out of doorway and stop their general business to get a look at this new sight.

While not as large as a city state, this does dwarf the small Bandit States to Kurn's west. The areas between buildings easily accommodate the traffic of lamed jalath’gak going in both directions, perhaps thirty or so feet of compacted dirt road that meanders through the town. Occasional stretches of thinner solid webbing connect some of the taller buildings, but not many. You see the occasional tohr-kreen walking on these like bridges. Here and there, small trees are seen with flowers and the occasional fruit, as well as a plethora of herbs lining the street. Flies hover about these in anticipation of a fresh meal. Kanks are herded as well. The bustle of commerce; not-commerce commences. There seems to be a structure to it, perhaps a caste or pecking order.

Eventually you pass a large step well, where all manners of large insects and insect people are bringing the precious liquid to the surface.

To the east of this well, smoke is seen coming from two of the domed buildings. Past these, sharpened stakes hold the bodies of animals common to these parts, partially cut and bled. Tohr-kreen butcher them before your eyes and hand pieces to the young and old tohr... those not quite ready for the hunt and those that are close to the last kills.

It smells of peat and smoke.

"We are in lean times. Luckily you announced your visit. We tohr are civilized, but some of my cousins would see you as food. Tell me why you are here in totality. If the clutch deems you honest? We will learn much, tohr-to-tohr."

[Attilius]

Aug 19, 2023 15:07:02 GMT -12 DM Bob said:

It smells of peat and smoke.

[Bob is this like BBQ scent or more like just firewood burning?]

The half giant silently watches all around him as Chat'cho speaks with the Tribe leader.

[DM Bob]

Not BBQ. Like burning peat and kiln type odors.

[Deleted]

Chat'cho sucks in a deep breath. Now or never, one supposes.

[Tohr'Kreen] "My guarded lands were subsumed by the expanding territory of one known as Oronis. He is a creature unlike anything I have ever known, and possesses great power which he uses to turn desert into forest. If not for my abilities, I would have died of chitin rot long ago. However, he did not order me slain and his servants have been kind to me. Some of his servants are among my clutch here--particularly the Aarakocra. He deigned send us here because he believed the Messenger--the comet that has come to earth not so far from here--to be an omen concerning the upheaval of the centuries-old order. He seeks to protect his territory from the despoilers to his south and west, and he opposes the undead creatures of the far south."

She clicks her mandibles and whistles softly.

[Tohr'Kreen] "He believes that our hunts intersect, and together we can bring down larger prey." After a moment, she glances around at the food on offer. "I can create meals for you, if you hunger."

[Attilius]

Hurk whispers to chat'
"Ask the king why they're in 'lean times'? And if they need help bringing down big game, we can do that for them?"

[Deleted]

Chat'cho peers at Hurk inquisitively, swaying her mandibles. "Xhery well."

[Tohr'Kreen] "Why do you find yourself in lean times? Has something chased away the local prey?"

[Skrye [AC3; 48/48HP]]

- The small halfling looks every here and there to the locals. She is also amazed by the construction of the Tor-kreens' buildings - 'How interesting' - although at not point dares to interrupt but looks to both Chat'cho and the Tor-kreen as they communicate

[Quila Oris (John M.)]

Quila walks along with the rest into the Tohr-Kreen settlement. 

She is keen on knowing what Chat'cho and the larger black tohr-kreen are talking about, so walks next to Niachi and asks him to translate. 

She will also make sure to look at any seemingly relevant cultural practice or behavior the kreen display, knowingly or unknowingly. Also, for what goes her regarding custom, rules, and established routines (Bureaucracy NWP). 

Her Spymaster training comes to good use again as she tries to connect her observations to anything she remembers from reading; readings from as far south as Celik and the Endless Sand Wastes to the Great Library in Kurn -- for example, she knows about the Great Kreen Migration in the Green Age, a period of time that received ample attention in her preparatory studies as templar before she first left Kurn. Aside reading, she tries to remember anything she can from encounters with any and all kreen in the past. 

[OOC: I'm trying to use my Wisdom of the Drylanders kit ability here. It gives me, per Bardic Knowledge, a 5% per experience level chance to basically know anything. I roll a 98 on 100.]

(OOC Psionics: I've dropped the Danger Sense since we have come to town. I'm now not maintaining any powers.)

At how far of a distance are 'us animals' kept by the kreen? Do we see or notice any display of (military) power as we follow the obvious clutch leader into the center of the settlement?

[Quila Oris (John M.)]

(PSP 95/122; another 6 turn maintenance Danger Sense costing me 12 PSP until we get to the settlement)

[Niachi]

Niachi lets his arcane translations flow from his mouth in steady accentless Common as they walk. Before they lost sight of their pack animals, he cranes his neck back to observe how the Tohr are handling/ reacting to their mounts: Any talk of “food”? Are they touching our packs and weapons?

He watches the community as they are watched, Mentally noting the strange new weapons and possible escape routes. If any items of elven design are seen (war trophies etc)he will casually mention this aloud, and to Chat’cho, he reports how much time he has left on his Tongues spell.