[IC] Underdogs [a core dnd game]

[covaithe]

Assaq says "Fine, let her keep her guards, but shouting shows not friendship, but fear. To show friendship, we should trust them and meet her halfway, with her guards. The question is, should we trust them?"

Ershe chimes in, "They haven't given us any reason not to trust them. Why don't we meet with them and see what they have to say? Isn't that our mission, after all?"

[sblock=ooc]Hopefully that's not out of character for Ershe. And I think Adokul is still hidden in the trees, right?[/sblock]

 

[Voda Vosa]

[sblock=OOC]Exactly, hidden and dangerous =P [/sblock]

 

[DEFCON 1]

Mogro nods. "I agree. Tell them we are moving forward to them and that we would be happy to speak if they would join us. I am curious what their situation is."

 

[doghead]

ic - Underdogs

The smaller gnoll, Urthe nar-Bar, listens as Mogro addresses her, but then shakes her head.

Urthe nar-Bar nods at Assaq's request for time to confer.

After the discussion, Urthe nar-Bar listens to then accepts the proposal made. With one condition; that the remaining grell comes out of hiding and joins the others. Hiding in the shadows does not speak to good intentions she suggests. Its fairly clear to Assaq that she is not just guessing as to the existence of a forth member of the party, although she doesn't seem to be aware of Adokul's location.

In return, she offers to bring only two gnolls with her. She suggests a small open area between the two parties about 150 feet from the gate where she now stands and about 100 feet from where the grell now are. It is visible from where both parties currently stand.

[sblock=Perception 10]Behind the scenes a few of gnolls have begun appearing, either from the gates on the other side of the camp, or from the forest surrounding the camp. Mostly they are females and pups. There are a few older one among them. They are all armed with simple weapons.

They make no move to intervene or to draw attention to themselves. But they are not hiding as such. They are just watch with interest the proceedings while staying out of the way.[/sblock]

[sblock=ooc]covaithe That seems fine for Ershe. BTW, I'm assuming that Assaq is translating for the others. Doing it this way just speeds things up a bit. Let me know if its not OK.

Everyone I'll speak up if I have concerns about decisions made for Ershe. So if I don't say anything, you are all good.[/sblock]

 

[DEFCON 1]

Glad to be making headway on this score, Mogro doesn't waste time conferring with the group. He just turns behind him and shouts "Adokul! Come out! We are having a meeting! They know you are there, come on out and join us for the talk!"

When everyone is ready, he climbs down from Champion, then leads the horse forward to the meeting spot with the gnolls.

 

[Voda Vosa]

Adokul hears Mogro, and make a little mock of him for himself, before leaving his cover. He surprisingly appeared on one side, not exactly behind the group. "Allright... I just hope to end this day with my head over my shoulder." and he walks next to the group.

 

[doghead]

ic - Underdogs

With Mogro leading, the four grell and their three animals proceed towards the designated clearing. They arrive first, being a little closer. A quick glance around reveals no one hiding in the bushes.

From the opposite direction, Urthe arrives at the clearing with two of her companions. For a moment it seemed that two of the other gnolls would insist on following. But after a snarl comment by Urthe, they fall back before drifting back towards the gate.

When the two parties reach a comfortable speaking distance, Urthe nods slightly in greeting. She motions for everyone to sit, then takes the lead and does so herself on a convenient log. For at this distance the grell can see that the smaller gnoll is female. She is wrapped in heavy furs and her face and head is coated in a while powder with red streaks through it. While she waits she spots the animals, Ershe's and Assaq's. She looks at each for a moment before considering each of the four grell. A momentary shadow passes over her features.

Urthe's two companions remain standing behind Urthe, one off each shoulder. Urthe pays no attention to them. They stand some seven feet plus and are armed with spears and small steel shields. They wear leather armour over loose fitting garments that seem to be wrapped around the wearer as much as anything.

Urthe addresses a series of short comments to the grell in general in what sounds like a series of different languages; the first is Trader, the next is similar to the snarling of a dog, the next complex and rapid, the last fluid and almost musical.

[sblock=Speak Trader]"Do you speak other languages?"[/sblock]

[sblock=Speak Gnoll]"I doubt you speak in the tongue of my people?"[/sblock]

[sblock=Speak Haric]"Haric perhaps?" Perhaps better that you don't."[/sblock]

[sblock=Speak Sylvan]"The language of the forest folk?"[/sblock]

Finally she addresses a final question to Assaq.

[sblock=Speak Trader]"Did the old hunter survive?"[/sblock]

[sblock=ooc]The two parties are about 10 feet apart. I have assumed that the animal companions are nearby, but not at the heals of the characters. Mogro can find plenty of places to tie up his horse, unless he intends to stay up there on horseback?[/sblock]

 

[Voda Vosa]

OOC: I do not know which language does Adokul speaks.

 

[DEFCON 1]

When they arrive in the clearing, Mogro ties his warhorse off to one of the trees. He then joins everyone in the circle.

After every single thing that the small female speaks, Mogro looks forlornly at her. He wishes he could understand her, because truth be told he knows that Assaq is more harsh than he is and might take some of her comments harder than Mogro himself might. He hopes that her intentions do not get lost in any of Assaq's translations.

He turns to Assaq and speaks in grell "I do not know what she is saying. It is up to you to be our mouthpiece it seems."

 

[covaithe]

[sblock=ooc]Sorry, forgot to say before that Assaq will, somewhat grudgingly, translate, so if you want to skip the sblocks, that's fine. Also, Adokul speaks Trader; his character sheet is over here, though there were one or two minor problems with it.[/sblock]

Assaq grimaces, more comfortable in the silence of the woods than in being the focus of long conversations, especially when the stakes are high. He translates for the others: "She asked if we speak any other languages, and there was some growling and other gibberish I didn't understand. Then she asked if the old hunter survived. I'll tell her he did, and thank them for rescuing him."

[sblock=Trader]"Yes, he survived. Thank you for rescuing him from his fall."[/sblock]