[IC] Industrygothica's "The Hive"

[industrygothica]

[sblock=ooc]Sorry about any confusion. I meant that the creature does not want to come with you.[/sblock]

While the creature is obviously badly injured and exhausted, it doesn't appear that it's life is in peril at the moment, althought it probably wouldn't take much. As you reach out to lay hands upon it, it pulls away, refusing to let you touch it.

You vaguely recall hearing the name Hehranna before.

The dwarf-thing looks at you as you say Hehranna's name, and relaxes a bit. A smile comes to it's face. "I'll die servin' my queen," it says. "There is no other."

"Surrender, and you'll have yer place as well," the thing says, even though it has obviously been defeated.

-----------------------

The others come upon the tent opening and see Courage talking to the creature. Shaimon doesn't notice any other dangers at the moment, but does notice that there is a faint trail leading off to the east from this point, though it is nearly as overgrown an indistiguishable from the last.

 

[Kobold Stew]

"Surrender, and you'll have yer place as well," the thing says, even though it has obviously been defeated.

The smile grows on Courage's face. "I'm afraid it doesn't work like that," she says, reaching down to pick up the creature's axe. "You may come out with me, or you may stay here for a while by yourself. But our surrender to you is not a matter for you and I to discuss."

Leaving no obvious weapons for the creature to use, Courage leaves the tent to confer with her friends. Whether or not the creature accompanies her, she will relate what has happened.

 

[jkason]

Shaimon Hu'u, barbaric human druid

Leaving no obvious weapons for the creature to use, Courage leaves the tent to confer with her friends. Whether or not the creature accompanies her, she will relate what has happened.

Shai lowers his bow slightly, though he stays attentive for trouble, as Courage relates the tale.

"Wait. So the bug people worship ... a dwarf?"

 

[Mista Collins]

"Hehranna?" tanith has a confused look on her face. "Hehranna? The Hehranna that the dwarf mentioned? Responsible for these creatures?"

 

[industrygothica]

As Courage relays the story to the others, you all come to the same conclusion, that Hehranna is in fact the same name the old dwarf back at the tavern was talking about; the name of the dwarven wizard who never returned after the battle against the formians several years ago.

Through their conversation the ant-like dwarf can be heard mumbling to himself, "No worries, my queen. They will surrender, and I will show them your way."

 

[Kobold Stew]

"We should act," begins Courage. "From the creature's words, it is possible that it would take us right to the dwarf if we so wished. That might make coming back a difficulty, but would give us the lay of the land. This creature is not evil, though its actions have been ... erratic. It is not clear that it means us harm other than its which to incorporate us into the collective hive. Which is something I would rather avoid. Perhaps one of you would undertake to examine the creature? Interrogation is not my specialty." Courage chuckles to herself at the obvious truth. "When they attacked us, it was perhaps in fear. They were afraid of claim jumpers, and clearly could not reason. It's not certain to me that we even need to pursue this further. It is possible that here we have the missing dwarven patrol of Dorlenn and Iskilar. We could incapacitate this creature, and take it back. We could also simply leave the creature, and observe its actions."

"I guess I do not see the need to go in killing based on simply this. We might find it unpleasant, but if it is not evil, then perhaps our obligation is to secure safe passage along the trail, but no more. I doubt these are the walnut salesmen. What are your thoughts?" She asks the group.

 

[jkason]

Shaimon Hu'u, barbaric human druid

"Perhaps one of you would undertake to examine the creature? Interrogation is not my specialty."

Shai gives a pained smile. "I'm better with animals than people, I have to admit."

"I guess I do not see the need to go in killing based on simply this. We might find it unpleasant, but if it is not evil, then perhaps our obligation is to secure safe passage along the trail, but no more. I doubt these are the walnut salesmen. What are your thoughts?" [/COLOR] She asks the group.

Shai looks around, then shrugs. "If Hehranna's really got the numbers a hive suggests, it's possible she's covered a lot more ground than we could looking for the walnuts," the large man offers.

"Like you say, though, Courage, if this is an overwhelming hive, I doubt it'd be easy to leave if we go in and they don't decide to help us out."

 

[Kobold Stew]

<ping>

 

[industrygothica]

ooc: Let me know what exactly you want to do, and we'll move on.

 

[Kobold Stew]

OOC: just trying to give a chance for the others!

IC:


"Thanks, Shai," Courage says. "I'll try to find out more. Come along if you'd like."

Courage throws down the Dwarf creature's weapon, outside of the tent, and goes back inside, unarmed.

Assuming the creature is still there and conscious, she squats down in front of the doorway (ready to attempt a grapple if an escape attempt is made), and begins her discussion.

She begins quiet -- though Courage doesn't do gentle, she will try for non-threatening, unaware that as she sits there she appears in some ways like a leopard about to spring.

"Let's begin. My name is Courage. I'm sorry about your friend, and I would like to try to avoid any more violence if that is possible. When you attacked us, though, you seemed very agitated, and concerned about claim jumping. Perhaps you can tell me some more about that?"

She shifts back and forth, a hunter sizing up the prey.

"With whom have you registered your claim? What are you mining, and why do you think we would be interested?"

Then, as an afterthought, "And perhaps you would like to tell me some more about Helranna. I don't think I've heard of him before."