Ruins of Azlant Gameplay I

The two strix share a look, and after a brief conversation in their own language, they turn, and motion for the group to follow them.

Jax relaxes some, but still eyes the Strix warily. "Amissa, do you know what they said?"

"Not a clue!" Amissa says cheerfully. "But it looks like they aren't trying to kill us, so maybe someone else in their settlement knows Azlanti. Let's go find out!"

"Alright," Aisha agrees, vaguely unhappy about not being able to take part in a conversation.

Jax frowns, but follows without another word.

The pair lead the group through the forest to a settlement of numerous wooden and stone structures suspended high in the boughs of massive live oaks and pines. All the structures are built around the base of a massive, octagonal tower of glittering blue crystal that reaches into the sky.

One indicates for the party to wait, while the other heads into the settlement, returning shortly with another Strix. "Hello," she says in Azlanti. "I am Skalorah, elder of the village of Sheshkadrann. Who are you?"

"My name is Amissa!" Amissa gestures to her companions. "This is Aisha, Kaimana, and Jax. We're from a settlement that we established on the coast a little ways from here, on the main island. We're trying to get to know and establish diplomatic relations with other settlements in the area."

Skalorah appears more at ease with Amissa's introduction, and says something in Strix to the scouts beside her. "It is good to hear you come in peace," she says in Azlanti. "I would be happy to discuss such matters with you. Shall we head into the village?" she offers.

The group follows to the village, with Amissa exchanging information with the Strix elder in Azlanti until she learns that she also speaks Celestial, at which point they switch to that language so Aisha can also join. From there, they move to more specific trade discussions and Aisha takes the lead on negotiating. They fairly easily manage to find a mutually agreeable arrangement - pending approval by leadership back at the colony.

"I'm glad we could come to this agreement," Skalorah says with a smile, once negotiations are more concluded. "If it does not trouble you too much, I have an additional request of you. Do you know of the locathahs?"

”We do,” Aisha replies simply, not divulging that they already have good relationships with them until she knows just what Skalorah’s intentions are.

"I would greatly appreciate it if you would negotiate a similar agreement to the one we just made between us and the locathahs," Skalorah says. "We would do so ourselves, but the relationship between our tribes has been tense for many years, due to a misunderstanding that resulted in the death of a locathah hunter," she explains.

Aisha blinks rapidly when she hears that then breaks into a wide smile. ”I would be happy to,” she replies with a nod. ”We’ve already negotiated a deal of our own with them and are on good terms.”

"Excellent to hear," Skalorah says with a smile. "We look forwards to a period of more open trade and cooperation."

”Likewise. I look forwards to speaking again soon,” Aisha returns the smile.

The group is soon on their way back to the colony after this, with a stop at the locathah village. A locathah fishing not far from the village is the first to see them, eagerly inviting them back to the tribe's home.

Aisha gives the fisherman a wide smile and a wave back, asking in Aquan, "Is Koloshkora in by any chance?"

"Away hunting, but will be back tonight!" he says cheerfully. "You want to come and wait?"

Aisha turns back to the others then, translating the exchange. ”Do we want to stay here and make our way back in the dark after negotiations, or head back now and come back tomorrow?”

"Do we know what time she'll be around tomorrow?" Kaimana asks.

"I can ask Koloshkora to stay around tomorrow," the fisherman replies with a nod. "What time do you want to come back?"

"A couple hours after dawn?" Aisha suggests, mentally figuring out how long it would take them to get there.

The fisherman nods. "We will see you soon, then!"

Returning back to the colony, the party finds good news awaiting them. The story on everyone's lips is about how Soren, the missing fisherman made it back to the colony after having been forced to take shelter by a freak storm.

Kaimana grins at the good news and goes to find Soren, wanting to hear his account directly.