A City of Kreen

[Niachi]

(He also notes if any spiders are present as domesticated beasts or part if the general local fauna) and includes this information in his translation.)

[Skrye [AC3; 48/48HP]]

- Eslyk looks for any unusual beast or animal treated as herd and/or food, to try to understand a bit of their culture. She is also trying to assess roles within the community in relation to their chores, and then matching this information with the external anatomy of the Tor-kreen (exoskeleton colour, painted marks..)

[OOC: I dropped the Danger Sense a little ago but I'm still aware of my surroundings]

[DM Bob]

We can start with the Tongues spell round one spent here. -Bob

The tohr don't show fear, but seem to keep distance out of respect. Those of you who aren't kreen might feel sized up, like a how prey feels around an exhausted predator. They have no reason to hunt, but that doesn't mean they aren't watching the very details of your passing.

No spiders are seen. You feel they would viewed as competition if they larger varieties are even common to this area of the world. There are no other new weapons to be seen other than the oddly shaped chatkcha at your host's side. However, most of the tohr-kreen are armed. Those doing heavier labor have smaller weapons at their side and those that are walking or herding insect-beasts are using gythka as walking staves. Other weapons, like knives and bows are also seen, and the occasional zerka. Even the young have mini versions of the gythka and chatkcha at hand. A constant reminder of the most important Hunt.

J'lact of Nirik-Tohr replies as he stops before a large-ish dome.

"We know full well the state of the prey. We, the hunters, are simply too many for the land. We, tohr, need to search for new lands to hunt. Or that's what the Emperor thinks. Some of us think that raising prey is a better answer - if less fulfilling for our spirit. We have decided here, in Nirik, of trying to balance both. Not all tohr think the same, but if the Emperor commands? We will range new earth."

He pauses. There is a bit of worry in his scent that only Chat'cho can pick up.

"This Messenger is also a concern of ours. The Emperor has commanded the immediate area secure and ordered it to be guarded as the spirits & memories are consulted. The Great Hunters have been stationed about to watch the sky-almond. At least twice, we the tohr, have defeated threats to it's security. Again, it is lucky you came here first. But now I have something of a problem."

"Do I refer your clutch to the Emperor? I feel that might spell the end of your hunt. We, the Nirik-tohr, have not been commanded to report any Outlanders to the Empire. But we might be at risk if I do not do so. Tell me how you wish to hunt, from one clutch to another."

[Attilius]

***Via translation***

“J'lact of Nirik-Tohr, I am HurK of Cerebran”

The half giant bows respectfully, placing one hand over his heart

“We do NOT want you or your clutch to be at risk. OUR own Emperor has given us the task to bring a powerful life lengthening gift to your emperor in hopes to bring your clutch [HurK waves his other arm at the city] and your Emperors great clutch closer to a beneficial and lasting friendship between our two tribes...”

[Deleted]

Chat'cho's antennae suddenly swivel towards the sound of Hurk's voice as he speaks. She remains silent for a few moments, processing what he's said and weighing the moment. Any nearby Kreen can plainly smell the tenseness in her.

[Tohr'Kreen] "I share my compatriot's desire to avoid placing you in danger for my own sake. Your Emperor is not known in my lands, even to our wisest and most powerful. I cannot say that I understand the risks of meeting him, but I know that I am prey outside the lands of my clutch. However, though I am not the wisest or most powerful of our number, I am by far the best diplomat and leader of the clutch. If I cannot sway your Emperor to mercy, I fear no one can. I am willing to submit myself to the mercies of your sovereign, alone if I must."

As she finishes speaking, she lets the rest of her lungful of air slowly drone out of her.

[Skrye [AC3; 48/48HP]]

- Eslyk taps Chat'cho's exoskeleton and makes a sign to talk with her. When she does, the female halfling tells her in lower voice but not whispering - "I can only think of offering him one or two of the requested globules we got as a friendlier approach and then speak with their tribe leader. I believe they would like the taste, as we've seen other herder kanks around. What do you think?"

[Deleted]

Chat'cho produces a mangled squeak, turning her body about and craning her neck down to get closer to the halfling. Clicking her mandibles rhythmically, she mangles another line of Common.

"What dixherrence would that mmake? Ixh the Tohr'Kreen require gixhts, I can simm*ly conjure xhoodstuxhs xhor themm out oxh thin air, rexhill their well, or cure their sick with mmy mmagic. Honey would *e a *altry oxherring in comm*arison."

[Skrye [AC3; 48/48HP]]

- "Ok, ok, all right, I can't compete with that, I was trying to be helpful" - sounding a bit grumpy - "Won't say anything else whilst we are here, but just remind them about the tracks" - just as she steps back once, besides the rest of the group

[Deleted]

Chat'cho offers a low whistle, an indication of regret likely lost on most. "The...tracks?"

[Skrye [AC3; 48/48HP]]

- Eslyk looks at Chat'cho - "I'll let you know because you weren't there but I'm still grumpy with you" - raising an eyebrow, only to calm the mood and be more as she use to, a bit serious as she talks - "As we were waiting by The Messenger, I found a trail of mobat tracks, somehow fresh, but these should not be there at this time of the day. These seemed like resting or napping, although I didn't find any blood in or around the tracks..."

Eslyk scratches her own head and keeps talking to the female druid - "Would they know something about it? It was also suggested that these could be mounted by raiders and surely by a mobat size could be possible.. Ah! And some of the tracks come in this direction although these ended at some point before entering this village"

[Deleted]

Saliva glistens from Chat'cho's mandibles, an unconscious reaction to the thought of mobat meat. "Thank you. I will ask this."

[Attilius]

"Oh yeah..."HurK nods
"Smelled tobac smoke too but couldn't see its source."

[Quila Oris (John M.)]

Listening to Eslyk and HurK, Quila feels a bit stupid. “Hmm,” she starts off and looks at Niachi, “do you know of any spells to make yourself and your huge mobat mount invisible? Would a regular Invisibility spell take care of that?”
Then more in general to the group ”That tobac could have been the rider of that mount or someone else holed up invisible and spying on us. Or it could have been the remnants and lingering after effect of casting a spell.”

[Attilius]

HurK grunts and nods his agreement with Q's possibilities

[AthasianLaborer]

(OOC: Apologies, I had a busy weekend)

Ande has been perched on the inix, behind the pear tree with her wings folded and her head drooped low, napping.  Ande rustles somewhat through the conversation though seems to be thankful for the opportunity for a nap that being viewed a pet affords her.