Serpent's Skull: City of Seven Spears [IC]

[lostsole31]

Okay ......

What went wrong?
What went right?

Are you intending to show up the following day or giving any soft time, or do you think it's better to "strike while the iron is hot" (if it is)?

[BuckGodot]

"Clearly they seemed to accept the spearheads so that worked in our favour. Not being prepared with the spells we were going to use did not... I suggest we wait a day and return with another gift. Diplomacy is a process very different from combat in that it can take a lot longer... Thoughts?" says Book.

[silphael]

Xhanfaerd nods.

"I agree. I, though, do wonder if the gruesome displays are part of their funerary practices, or a way to show off their trophies, which would mean something else. What kind of gift can we afford this time ? Maybe some food to share with them ?"

He plans to look through the inventory to look for another potential gift.

[BuckGodot]

Book agrees, searches his gear for gift ideas and approaches the head of the camp, explaining what happened thus far, and asking for suggestions for other gifts to make more inroads.

[silphael]

After what looks like second thoughts, Xhanfaerd adds.

"I fear they only accepted it because it was convenient, but it implies nothing for them, they won't see us in any other way than potential prey... and proving to them that we aren't would involve some show of force. Which likely would work, still."

[lostsole31]

Aron nods her head, though Sersheelda seems chipper as the route of violence is usually her preference.

"Thank you for your insight, Xhanfaerd," says Amivor. "So, the next thing is to determine if you are going to attempt a strike against them, which seems disingenuous ... because we are still ourselves, and need not be like them. Or, if we choose another target, or keep exploring?"

[BuckGodot]

"I'm not in favour of all-out attacking them. Especially since we have made the effort at peaceful contact. We were not fully prepared when we approached them last. Let us try one more time and then move on. If they attack, we defend ourselves with the full might of righteousness behind our actions. WHat have we observed they have been eating?"

[lostsole31]

Though generally simian in appearance, with their bows they are definitely hunters, and they seem more carnivorous than omnivorous like most primates.

[BuckGodot]

Book then suggests we do a hunt and take fresh kill to them and see if we can determine what they say in response.

[lostsole31]

By lack of response, it seems that the group is behind Book's plan.

[BuckGodot]

Book sets up a few rigs to see if he can catch any maroles. Failing that he’ll ask the camp hunters if they can nab some game and when the crew is ready, proceed back to the simian camp, spells prepped, etc.

[silphael]

While the hunting party gets ready, Xhanfaerd realises something.

"Maybe we could pick a prey that will prove to them we are approaching them nicely because we can, not because we fear them ? Well, wouldn't they fear the giant crocodile we killed at a great cost already ? Is there still some prey that would work as well ? I think we should see them with proof of our earlier successful hunt if we can."

[BuckGodot]

Book agrees with that idea.

[lostsole31]

Aron nods at Xhanfaerd and then asks, "And how would we do that?"

[silphael]

"Well, the first obvious solution would be to look for the corpse of the crocodile and make a proper trophy out of it. We left it to rot, and are likely able to dispatch any scavenger that would have tried to claim the carcass. We just need the skull anyway, I'd say ? If it fails, well, we could seek another big game in the jungle ? I'm sure there still is some."

[BuckGodot]

Book nods in agreement and says, ”Lets make it happen!”

[lostsole31]

So, the above are words.

What is the first thing that you do?

[BuckGodot]

Book organises a small party to head to the croc corpse collection place (CCCP). As leader of the group, he designates himself chairman. ”Comrades! For the good of the party and the people! Let us march!” and when everyone is ready, they’ll set out.

[lostsole31]

The party gets to the sight of where the sarcosuchus was dispatched. Its remains in the hot, humid, swamp are horrendous. It was killed on the 25th of Calistril and now it is nearly two weeks later. Even carrion birds got their dig on the monster. Now, necrophagic insects are having their way with what is left of the corpse. Mind you, that which is completely missing is its head. That's not accidental or likely natural, but probably the act of an intelligent third party.

What do you do?

[silphael]

Looking at the others, then at the scene, Xhanfaerd asks.

"Anyone able to get clues from here that could point somewhat in the direction of those that took the skull ?"

[lostsole31]

The group searches the massive remains of the carcass. It seems that many different types of animal and humanoid footprints have come this way, with enough traffic and time lapsed that there is nothing inconclusive.

[BuckGodot]

"Okay... This has gotten out of hand. I feel this has become a massive distraction from our main project. Is there any reason we cannot bypass the simian camp and just proceed? Honestly? I've forgotten why became so obsessed with them to begin with?" Book says after a sigh of exasperation.

[lostsole31]

Aron gives you her perspective via the collective...

Spoiler: Aron >>> Collective

Show

"Our job is vanguard exploration. We're the 'first' archaeologists and explorers on site, but we won't be the last. We are trying not just to explore Saventh-Yhi, but to pacify regions of it to make it safe for future Pathfinders, and for any explorers that may come, but right now as one of several external factions in Saventh-Yhi (ourselves, the Free Captains, likely the Aspis Consortium, and even the Sargavan government forces), we have to protect our organization's interests.

"To do that, we have to find the main powers of each ancient district. Maybe one group lords over an entire district, or not, we don't know yet. But in this district - the one that seems to have once been the Mercantile District - seems factionalized by powers both monstrous and savage. This dire croc was such a powerful beast, that it seems that unwittingly it was one of the major powers. The flying simians are another, but a bit more intelligent. Likely for the same reason as fear in driving away competition, that strange flooded tower with undead is probably another.

"So, our job is to either make these powers our friends, or to vanquish or chase them off so that we may then 'plant our flag,' so to speak to make the district safe not only for ourselves, but those who come after."

[BuckGodot]

"Right... Right... So the Croc skull as a gift should not only help establish friendship, per se, but also show them that we are not to be trifled with. So I think we need to use our best to try to investigate the various tracks and recover it... Thoughts and ideas?" replies Book.

[lostsole31]

Sersheelda blinks and looks at Book. "Cannot. Tracks a mess, and boggy wetness shlump agether. No good tracks. In-con-lucive."

[BuckGodot]

Book sighs... If Fronaldo were here...

"I'm sorry then, team. I'm at a loss as to how to proceed."

[lostsole31]

Gelik says, "We should go back, and confer with Amivor, I think."

[BuckGodot]

Book nods his agreement with that assessment and turns to head back to see Amivor with the group in tow.

[silphael]

Xhanfaerd nods.

"Well, the next target could be the undead tower, but that would mean we'll need spells to go underwater. I can cast a few of those, but that will limit us to short moves underwater. We might be able to get a trophy there, or we go by force against the simians. I don't really like this idea, especially because of they are sentient... but it still is a possibility."

[lostsole31]

The party returns back to Amivor to confer.

And ... go.