Of Jungle Deeps and Ocean Depths

[Jarval]

"Quite the collection of trophies we've gained, as well." Mourn says cheerfully from overhead, now riding on his broom again. "The teeth and claws will make good mementos to show the grandchildren.

"Oh, and Rappai's got a point. We want to all be fighting fit in case we run into anything else. I've not got any more major pyrotechnics prepared for today, so if we run into anything else, don't expect the same level of magical bombardment from me."

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

*Talking to each other as you walk, Jalaro cautiously bringing the anklies along behind you, Spear Strikes Deep takes you to what seems to be a hunting camp of sorts. It's obviously not a permanent village, with simple leaf shelters and barely more than thirty people about, all fairly strong and vigorous. Slabs of meat are already being roasted, and Spear Strikes Deep leads you to some fur-covered stumps to sit on. After conversing for a moment with a heavily-decorated, powerful-looking dwarven man with a marvelous headress of multi-colored feathers, Spear Strikes Deep introduces him.*

"This is our chief, Ten Deaths. Because of your bravery, Ten Deaths has agreed to give to you what knowledge and wisdom is ours to aid you on your quest," he says carefully.

 

[Lichtenhart]

Mad Harry puts himself at ease on the stump, looking curiously at everything.
"I'm sure your introduction helped us too, Spear-Strikes-Deep. Please thank Ten-Deaths for his hospitality and ask him if he ever heard o' Tikira Lake, or if somebody o' your tribe spotted a tall man with a thick grey beard and a blue hat through your jungle, in the last weeks."

 

[Keia]

Rappai, Grippli Cleric/Divine Oracle (Jarrijan, Grippli Monk)

Rappai stayed at the fringe of the conversation, waiting for others to translate (if the dwarves speak their tongue) or remained silent. She compared their information to what her limited knowledge was of the areas in question.

Jarrijan, by contrast, was more animated . . . finally deciding to hop up a nearby tree to scout the surrounding areas.

 

[silentspace]

Invelion, Sun Elf Wizard

Invelion bows deeply to Ten Deaths. "When we saw Spear Strikes Deep and the other jungle dwarf warriors standing bravely before the thunder lizard, we knew we must help. The jungle is filled with marvels and dangers most of us have not encountered before. As strangers in your land, we thank you for any help you can give us."

 

[Zerth]

*Tiana just smiled at the dwarven chief and let others, who knew the language and customs better to do the talking. The dwarves seemed to be friendly and honorable people, so she felt no reason to worry about anything.*

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

*The dwarves are speaking in Common, though with a rumbling accent and slightly stilted formal mode.*

Mad Harry puts himself at ease on the stump, looking curiously at everything.
"I'm sure your introduction helped us too, Spear-Strikes-Deep. Please thank Ten-Deaths for his hospitality and ask him if he ever heard o' Tikira Lake, or if somebody o' your tribe spotted a tall man with a thick grey beard and a blue hat through your jungle, in the last weeks."

*The two dwarves confer for a moment, a rather lengthy moment, and finally Spear Strikes Deep turns to Mad Harry.*

"Yes, our tribes knows of Tikira Lake, and of the man you speak. We saw him coming through our territory, but when it was obvious that he was seeking something else, we simply followed him. Our shaman told us he was hearing a siren call from the lake, and nothing could disuade him from going. We followed him to the end of our territory, and he left in good health," he says cautiously.

 

[Lichtenhart]

For a long moment Harry remains perfectly still. Then his shoulders start to jerk, as he can't stifle some sobs. He tries to regain his composure almost immediately, but a few tears have already escaped his eyes and are running down his cheeks. As he wipes his face in a rush, his voice sounds only a little broken, but he's already the same Mad Harry as always.
"Shiver me timbers! Thank you very much, matey!" he says with a voice a little too merry. "That man be my father. I'm looking fo' him. These are great news you gave me. Do you think you can help us read a map to find the lake?"
He snaps up from the stump and lands on his bare feet after a twirl in the air.

 

[Erekose13]

Up until this point, Undinar has stood by while Mad Harry spoke with the chief of the dwarves. As he mentions the map, Undinar rifles through his pack and produces it. "Here it is. Your help is very much appreciated."

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

*Chief Ten Deaths stands up after looking at the grippli map, and begins to speak in sonorous Dwarven as Spear Strikes Deep translates.*

"At the center of the lake resides a treasure of great value; water that could be used to heal or harm, for magic or for malice. It is guarded by a creature worthy of its power, and it is this guardian you must appease or slay before you may touch the waters. The man you seek, the one we say going to the lake as if in a trance, he had the look of someone protected by the spirits of the lake, but you go for a far different purpose. The full force of the guardian will be brought to bear against you."