Crossed Paths, Part II

[Krilith]

~The dwarf cannot see much but what he can see is enough, and judging by marcus reaction it is serious. In that moment, between heartbeats, almost without thinking words leave his mouth in the language of the land~

"Hello, my name is Dhormium, we did not mean to enter your teratorium, we are looking a group other humans, have you seen them?"

~Not knowing if he made a wrong decision or not Dhormium waits for a reaction. Everything can happen now, and most of it will involve some kind of physical action~

ooc: Speaking in my best diplomatic(+5) Terran.

 

[Manzanita]

Surprise Round

You do get a full surprise round. I know centipedes aren't insects, but my knowledge(nature) check fails and I don't know how else to describe them.

Assuming the rest wait for the result of Dhormium's call, I'll let the others act. Dhormium's salutaion in Terran seems to have no effect on them. After getting over their shock at seeing a group of armed men appear through what was evidently a wall, the reptilian humanoids spring to their feet. Those with sheilds and clubs heft them. Centipede entrails and exoskeletons are spit onto the floor. Those closest to the party take a few steps back.

You notice now that there are 9 of these Lizardmen, 5 of whom are armed. All have a thick crocodile tail that braces them on the floor. They converse in their hissing tounge, which none of you understand. They glance back at the one standing in the back, behind the crocodile. He is dressed in the most ornamental of the harnesses, which supports several pouches made of some sort of scaly hide. He also wears a thick gold armband around his left bicept. Even from this distance, Marcus' keen eyes notice the double headed eagle of Rome engraved on it.

 

[Thomas Hobbes]

Octar's sword leaps into his hand, his shield quickly to follow. "Orders?" he barks to Brioc, standing his ground and watching the nearest lizardman warily, but not moving forward.

 

[Jarval]

Ah, so that's why it was glowing... Brioc looks at his scimitar, a strange urge to kill the lizardmen rising in him. He shakes his head slightly, giving the sword a wary frown.

"Hold your place." He says to Octar. "I they are not hostile, then I would rather not shed their blood. Besides, if that token of Rome not stolen, they could be potential allies."

"We wish you no harm." Brioc calls in Latin to the reptilian men. "You wear the sign of Rome, I see. By what deed where you accorded such an honour?"

 

[Manzanita]

The lizard man leader gazes intently on the party. He makes no sign that he understands Brioc's words either. He raises his hand and speaks a few words in his tongue. Instantly, 5 of his companions start to back away, then turn and exit the room, opening the door behind them, but not closing it.

During this process the leader has been focusing his stare at Brioc. Finally he says in a language only Brioc understands. A language he first learned from his father, as a boy, under the clear skies of his homeland, in the mystic rings of stone and wood. "You have returned, cousin." He says this in Druidic. "Cousin" being a loose translation of a term of respect for a fellow druid, though not necessarily implying friendship.

Jarval can read the above by highlighting it. This could be a long conversation; Brioc might want to provide a running commentary so the others don't get bored.

 

[Jarval]

Brioc looks surprised at the lizardman's words.

"Hold back a moment, lads. I can understand what this one is saying."

*

Spoiler

"Greetings to you, cousin." Brioc replies in the secret language that almost runs in his blood, sheathing his scimitar. "Although I have never before been to this place. Why do you say I have returned?" He asks curiously.

*

 

[doghead]

Thoughts flash through his mind. Tullius mentioned no lizardfolk. Perhaps they have also just arrived. Or perhaps they have been here all along but know nothing of the expidition and gnolls. Unlikely. What lies in that room beyond?

"He wears a roman armband."

Marcus holds his piece as the Brioc responds, first in a language that he understands, then in one that he doesn't. He relaxes his stance a bit, but keeps his hand an the hilt of the sword. He uses the time to scan the room, and get a look at the monster on the floor.

ooc: sorry, stared writing then got pulled away. Didn't see the intervening posts. Have edited it reflect them.

Does the room appear to be temporaily occupied or do they look settled in?

 

[Manzanita]

To Brioc: "You are like he who came before. But you search for the treasures of your ancestors. You brave these halls as did the mongrel, and the man before. But these treasures are not yours. Others live here now. There is nothing here for you. I bear you no malice, cousin, so I will not kill you, as I would others. But you must go."

There is no sign of real habitation here. The lizardmen have no possetions other than what they carry. The crocodile slowly shifts around so that its mouth is between you and the lizard man leader.

 

[Jarval]

"He says that we are not the first to come down here." Brioc translates for his companions. "A man and someone he calls 'the mongrel' came down here before us. He says that the treasures in this tomb no longer belong to us, as others now call this place home. He says he bears me no malice, due to our common calling, so he will not kill us, but he asks us to leave now."

Turning back, Brioc switches again to the language only he and the lizardman speak.

Spoiler

"We did not realize these halls were inhabited. I apologise for intruding on your territory, cousin, as we have no desire to take anything that now belongs to your people." He replies quickly.

"However, I am disturbed that others like myself have been here. My father, one of our order, sent me to recover secret knowledge said to once have been held by the Greeks so it does not fall into the hands of those who conspire against our order. Did the man and the mongrel say why they came here?"

 

[Manzanita]

The lizardman pauses, although is reptilian face is inscrutable. Finally he says, "You want information? The mongrel wanted information." He reaches up his right hand to caress the thick gold armband. "The mongrel paid for information."