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Bonnie

As she watches the proceedings, she comes to a conclusion. "Those are shift changes. They've been continuously worshipping this thing since it was activated. There won't be a lull or a 'done'. This is day and night protection, err, worship."

Monsieur Rose wrote: ↑Fri Aug 21, 2020 4:41 pm Bonnie

As she watches the proceedings, she comes to a conclusion. "Those are shift changes. They've been continuously worshipping this thing since it was activated. There won't be a lull or a 'done'. This is day and night protection, err, worship."

Avaala the Grey

Avaala looks from Bonnie, to Cealwyn, and back to Bonnie again. "Are you sure about that? Cealwyn just said that the last time he was here, no one was worshipping."

Wes

Wes considers Bonnie's suggestions. "Well...I will say that your persuasive skills might be handy," he admits. "Although pretending to be a god would be going too far."

"I'd like to meet them and talk to them, but", he looks over the clearing again, "I think I may be more use back here. My magic might be handy in covering a retreat or an escape."

Grimm

"Arg. It's getting dark." Leaving the others to do the thinking, there's not much he has to contribute with.

Just in case, the dwarf will check the direction of the wind after a while.

Cealwyn Blackthorn

"Activated?" Cealwyn watches with interest. "Who or what activated the obelisk and prompted this display?" He asks. "And what power is generated by activating the thing?"

"Well, I activated it, of course, using a magical stone. During my foray into the temple basement," says Chauncey. "Indeed, logic dictates that the lizard-men only began worshiping the obelisk full time after it was activated. They have, perhaps, always revered the structure, and now feel, with its activation, that it requires constant adoration, so as not to invoke its wrath."

He ponders for a moment. "Clearly there are too many to fight. And why should we wish to? They may, in fact, prove to be valuable allies, acting as guardians.

"Someone should speak with them - with my natural charisma, that person should probably be me. Though I also do not know their language. A problem," he says.

Luther
Luther cocks an eyebrow at the idea of 'activation'. Then he smiles. Convincing them you're a god might be too big a reach- But maybe you could sell the idea you're a fellow worshipper? A couple of us enter the clearing, chanting. If they accept that, we draggle in one or two at a time.

Cealwyn Blackthorn

The ranger cocks his head at their fearless leader and sends him an inquisitive look. There are obviously...layers to this man. He shifts his gaze back toward the clearing.

"I speak the tongue of the lizard-folk, if these speak the same dialect. But charm is not my strong suit," he admits.

Avaala the Grey

Looking at Chauncey as though he has been simultaneously struck between the eyes with an ax and knifed in the back, Avaala says, "Please excuse my foolish question of a moment ago. I had absolutely no idea that Chauncey had done anything of the sort. Of course, it makes much more sense now. Please continue."

Wes

Wes cocks an eyebrow at Chauncey's description of his solo mission down in the temple basement. He opens his mouth to ask Why would you do something that dangerous? Then Wes remembers who he's talking to. The answer would probably be a wizard version of Because it was there. He clamps his mouth shut again.

When the conversation turns again to impressing the lizard folk, Wes volunteers a little nugget of information about the kind of magic he can cast. "I can bring down a few lightning bolts if we need 'em."

The Obelisk
Sunday, 21st of Goodmonth
Late Afternoon, Hot, Humid, Buggy

Several suggestions are offered on how to deal with the situation at hand, ranging between posing as gods, to posing as their equals, or just frying them with lightning.

Chauncey nonchalantly announces that it was he who activated the obelisk from the diagram above the altar in the basement of the ruined temple, as if that should have been common knowledge all along. He then claims that he would prefer the lizard men were not simply slaughtered, hoping the possibility to make peace with them exists in case their skills may yet be utilized. The party leader suggests that he himself attempt to beguile them with his natural charms, though he seems a bit hesitant to go in alone.

Cealwyn mentions that he might understand their language, though he can’t comprehend the chanting. Grimm keeps a close watch on the lizard folk, and the slowly setting sun above.

Actions?

Bonnie AC5 17/17
Cealwyn AC3 17/19
Paul AC6 7/7
Luther AC3 30/30
Chauncey AC8 18/26 CL, DM, RM first 2/3 second 0/2
Mr. Wrenly AC7 4/4

Wes AC7 34/34 first 5/6 second 4/4 third 3/3
Avaala AC8 12/12 CL, DM, RM first 2/2 second 1/1
Treasure AC2 12/12 35%MR
Grimm AC5 10/10
overall map: viewtopic.php?p=366477#p366477

Luther
Luther glances at the sky. Whatever we do, we better decide. I think we'll have a harder time convincing them we're peaceful if we show up after dark. If that's the plan, you better get moving. I'm staying here for now, just to provide security if things get nasty.

Avaala the Grey

"And," adds Avaala. "Since there is so much going on of which I am unaware, I feel I should withdraw my name from a potential speaker for the group." He adds, "I'll stay here and do spell support."

Wes

"So that's Bonnie, Paul and Chauncey then?" says Wes.

Then, apparently for the first time, Wes notices Chauncey's injuries. "By the Shalm, Chauncey! That looks nasty. Let me help you".

Cure Light Wounds [1d8] = 3

I actually only thought he took 3 or 4 points of damage earlier. Was saving the CLWs until later.

Wes

"So that's Bonnie, Paul and Chauncey then?" says Wes.

Then, apparently for the first time, Wes notices Chauncey's injuries. "By the Shalm, Chauncey! That looks nasty. Let me help you".

Cure Light Wounds [1d8] = 3

I actually only thought he took 3 or 4 points of damage earlier. Was saving the CLWs until later.

Bonnie

"Ok. Cealwyn may be able to translate, Chauncey and I can be friendly, everyone else waits in the bushes until...unless things go badly." She nods and looks around.

"We're trying to get a better look at the obelisk, right? Maybe something is written at the base." Bonnie cocks her head in thought. "If you still have that disguise hat, Avaala, you could pretend to be one of the creatures and take a look around."

"Or better yet, if there is a way for someone to go investigate invisibly, this becomes much easier. I thought that stone of Krystal's may do it, but I haven't gotten it to work. Did she ever go invisible when she was with you guys?"

Chauncey looks surprised by Wes' and Avaala's reaction to the news about the obelisk. "Did I not share this information with you? Hmmm... it must have slipped my mind. At any rate, I did not know I was activating the obelisk until after the fact. I sought only to reveal some hidden cache or passageway in Gorman's temple. His notes later elucidated the situation."

"Well, Bonnie, Cealwyn, let's be off, I suppose. These lizard-folk aren't going to diplomacize themselves," he says. (CHA: 8 This should go well. Where's a dang bard when we need one?) "Mr. Wrenly, if you would be so kind as to keep watch from the periphery, in the tree-tops, I should be much obliged." Mr. Wrenly scampers off.

"Follow my lead," he says, conspiritorially to his companions. Approaching the clearing quietly from the path on which the "guards" stand watch, the wizard will listen to the chanting, then ask Cealwyn "What are they saying?"

Edited.

Grimm

"Aren't there any of them that isn't praying? Maybe you can approach one of the idle ones and it won't feel offended. I'm also for not fighting then if we can avoid it."

He keeps staring at the ritual. "I'll be nice and stay here, yes."

The Obelisk
Sunday, 21st of Goodmonth
Late Afternoon, Hot, Humid, Buggy

It is decided that Chauncey, Cealwyn, and Bonnie will go in and attempt to communicate with the lizard creatures, while the rest of the group stays hidden in the bush. Wes lays his hands on their injured leader before they depart, healing some of the nasty burn on the mans back. Before they leave, Bonnie suggests that Avaala could use his hat to fool them, or the possibility of using invisibility to get a better look at the obelisk unseen.

With the two guards on the trail standing with their backs to them, the trio are allowed to walk directly into the clearing without conflict. They don't notice any change to the chanting and bowing, but they are able to get a better look at the entire clearing. There is one very large thatch hut with a strangely colored orange roof in the back corner of the open area, and what looks like a rocky well or pond area across from that. They also see a few more of the lizard creatures beyond the obelisk. One of them is standing up on a large black rock that might serve as an altar. He carries a decorated staff is the one doing the loudest chanting, appearing to be some kind of shaman or possibly their leader.

While the others look on, the diplomats make their appearance known to the guards. When they turn to face the visitors, it becomes apparent that these are no ordinary lizard men. They look a lot more like some ancient versions of the species currently known to them, carrying primitive sharpened sticks and stone axes on their belts. Their faces and hands appear quite strange as well. They wave their arms and hiss loudly at the infiltrators, speaking in a tongue that Cealwyn has never heard before. Though they don't openly attack, it is fairly apparent that they weren't expecting you, and would prefer that you didn't trespass any further into their clearing. Their strange exaggerated hissing becomes more annoying by the second.

Actions? Bonnie AC5 17/17
Cealwyn AC3 17/19
Paul AC6 7/7
Luther AC3 30/30
Chauncey AC8 21/26 CL, DM, RM first 2/3 second 0/2
Mr. Wrenly AC7 4/4
Wes AC7 34/34 first 5/6 second 3/4 third 3/3
Avaala AC8 12/12 CL, DM, RM first 2/2 second 1/1
Treasure AC2 12/12 35%MR
Grimm AC5 10/10
overall map: viewtopic.php?p=366477#p366477

Luther
Luther watches from the undergrowth, his longbow in hand. Doesn't look good... he mutters to no one in particular.