The Dangers of Darkbough - Part 1
General Summary
The situation with the Vass'anasss hunting party grows tense as the leader of the band demands to know the expedition's purpose for wandering around their tribal lands. The expedition members ready themselves for a potential fight, wary of the brandished weapons and distrustful expressions on the hunters' faces, when the two guides from the Halis'allah Tribe intervene and introduce the group. A brief exchange, accompanied by reassurances from Qas and Bara, eventually placates the lizardfolk enough to simply declare that the trespassers are considered "prisoners" of the hunting party, and will be escorted back to the Vass'anasss village so that the chief may determine their fates. The group reluctantly surrenders their weapons and is taken into the custody of the lizardfolk leader, who confirms himself to be none other than Tess'tess, the chief's brother. While the healers are permitted to finish attending to the wounded, once the group starts moving back to the village, the expedition members are forced to keep silent by their taciturn captors, only being able to speak in hushed whispers during meal breaks, or while the Vass'anasss aren't around. Luckily, thanks to their formidable knowledge of the land and it's denizens, the two day forced march through Darkbough Forest is uneventful, and the labyrinthine forest eventually opens into a wide clearing, revealing the walled village that serves as the home of the Vass'anasss. The foreigners are escorted into the village and taken before the chief, where Tess'tess explains the situation as relayed by the Halis'allah guides. Sses'el'iss thanks the guides, acknowledging them as allies of his people and releasing them back to their lands now that their task is complete, before turning his attention back to the foreign strangers in his lands. Qas presents herself, and using her cultural clout as a fellow ahh'rasha'kak lizardfolk, declares herself to be the Speaker for her group, arguing on their behalf and offering assurances of respect for both the land and people of the Vass'anasss. Genis, noting Qas's apparently successful negotiation, puts her full faith and authority to speak for the expedition in the adventurer's hands, leading to an ultimately amicable, if temporary, resolution. The expedition would be declared temporary guests of the village, and the members would be allowed to stay at the village while the chief and elders make a final decision. Thanking them, Genis takes counsel with Erik and the other senior expedition members, eventually deciding to take their chances in the clearing outside the village walls where they will be allowed to rearm and defend themselves.
Rewards Granted
- Qas is given the title of "Speaker" on behalf of the Bregaran Exit Expedition Team
Missions/Quests Completed
- Make contact with the locals of the Darkbough forest
