The insectoid understood even less than Gaigin had and then decided to try something different. He goes through the same motion as before but then adds in a broken but understandable elven, "The rocks…around you…belong to the queen of all insects. You are trespassing…into our land. For that you must pay…and we will let you pass free." The insect leader clacks his mandibles in his own tongue and is answered by four more clicks/clacks; two on each side of the party. These new sounds come from the heroes' sides who find themselves outflanked by the man-insects (7 in all).

The leader continues in elven; his tone is non-threatening. He seems to be speaking as a matter of fact as if he is used to have his demands fulfilled. "The rocks and everything on them…belong to the queen. You must pay to pass free…we will take away… the elf and one of the half-elves from the group…to feed the queen. You don't have to pay for this service… Then you can go…for now." The scrabs make no aggressive moves towards the party; they seem convinced that what they are asking for is reasonable and perhaps it is…given the situation.

The appearance of the first insect-man surprised Tak’. As a skilled hunter he prided himself on knowing where his prey was before it spotted him. Taking a grip on his spear, Tak’ listened to the strange clicking coming from the insect, his eyes scanning the terrain around - not wanting to let himself be caught unawares again.

Too late; six more of the insects appeared all around the pack. Tak’ grip tightened further and his eyes glanced fearfully around. These creatures were hunters of a high standard, and if they could have surrounded them this easily, any ambush they could mount would be fearsome.

Speaking quietly to Chit-Zik, Tak’ says, his tone conveying his concern, "these creatures could have ambushed us earlier. They don’t mean to attack us - yet..."

Elric bows toward the creatures then speaks in Elven "I will accompany you but first I must make peace with my comrades." Turning back to the group, the warlock speaks in common again "We are sorely injured and surrounded. Now is not the time for battle. Who is to say how fast these beast may travel through their native terrain." Bowing to each companion, Elric calls to his young tagster friend. Bending down to ruffle the cub's fur, the half-elf places his hand on the ground to support himself. Looking Rayne directly in the eyes, Elric slowly summons the power from the sparse vegetation in the area. With his hand directly on the ground, there is no evidence of his covert action. Looking to Mendi; a brief memory of his actions before the wall of water comes to mind. "When the time is right I will create a window of opportunity for our friend Mendi to create a doorway to escape. If we plan well, you will be waiting there in ambush in case the beast somehow follow us through the doorway. Ambush or flee either way. Unless someone else can think of another option."

Feeling rather encumbered, Rayne moves closer to Mendi, giving him a wink. "If ye do open a door, I don't want to have far to go to get through."

Not understanding what the bug-like creatures are saying, Rayne stands ready to respond to whatever events take place. "What are they sayin'? What language is that suppose to be? Are they peaceful, or should I be gettin' me weapons ready?"

Mendi looked at the beasts in outrage, barely controlling his rage and anger. "They want me and Aryus and Elric as right of passage... they want to feed their queen with us... I say we fight..." said Mendi in common tongue. The elf controlled himself, for his instinct screamed at him to draw his scimitar and slaughter those beasts. Then his companions recognized an air of concentration on his face, though the frown and screwed up eyes were probably not a real help for the insect or Chit. In the mindscape, Mendi ignored the familiar mind-forms of his friends, and scanned the seven insect men to see what sort of psionic powers the insect-men sported. Silently thanking once more his parents for his formal training at the School of Thought, Mendi frowned, "We have trouble, all the beasts have some sort of psionic might and two of them glow brightly in the mindscape."

"I say we strike now, and then run for our lives before their kin pursue us..." added the elf, still speaking the Tyrian dialect of the common tongue.

Letting conversation pass ahead, Tak’ became worried at the talk of ‘offerings’. Tak’ turned to face two of the creatures on the flank. His green eyes narrowed as he took in their bodies - small, yet still larger than Tak’ they appeared remarkably mobile, and their twin pincers looked nasty enough. But would they die easily enough if a clash came?

MINDSCAPE
The land was blank, the images of the insectmen strong and vibrant - the foes they faced were not weak in the Way. Still, if Tak’ had his way, all combat would take place in the physical world - dagger to pincer.

Tak’ created a small totem of a Sloth, infusing it with the strength and power of its physical equivalent – unstoppable in a rage. The totems energy merged with Tak’, and the slight halfling felt the power of the Sloth course through his body, filling his veins, and enhancing his muscles.

The warlock continues with his charade and passes the cub to Rayne "Care for him my friend, If all is well I shall return."

Taking the cub from Elric, Rayne looks confused. "I will do as ye ask, ye know it, but I do not understand what is happening?" The cub tries to squirm out of the mul's strong arms to follow Elric, but Rayne holds tight and whispers soothingly to the cub. "He'll be okay, he'll be back, just relax." The cub calms somewhat as she stokes its fur.

Moving to stand before Koreth, Elric unbuckles his swords. Handing his bone blade as well as Tempest to Koreth. "Care for these well, with hope I will be back to claim them and rejoin the deadliest team in Tyr; else they belong to you. Tempest is too much of a treasure to be lost to some bloody beast. There is more to the blade than just a sharp edge; I have tracked it down to a few Runes concerning water to balance the Sun and the Storm."

The warrior takes the weapons from Elric still not sure what is going on. Gaigin shakes his head as Elric prepares himself for surrender, and Mendi fumes and prepares for attack. Seeing confusion on the faces of those who can't speak elven, Gaigin turns to explain briefly.

"These here Kalak-Cursed over-grown meal-worms're delegates from someone called 'The Queen of all Insects,' and say we trespass on their territory. The dung-eaters have kindly offer'd us free-passage in exchange fer Mendi, and either Elric or Aryus, who will wind up feeding whate'er bloated spawn-o'-Gith these buggers call 'Queen'." Gaigin shakes his head and sighs, "In other words, it's trouble."

Turning to the waiting creatures, Gaigin replies in elven, "Wait a moment. We must discuss your Queen's generous proposal before we can accept." Turning back to his companions, Gaigin switches back to common.

"Hold on, Elric. It's all very well to plan and devise ways to escape, or to sneak through these gith-spawned barrens, but ye ferget our purpose, and yer job. Fer one, yer the one making the map. It may suit yer hero's heart to take yer course, but were you to die today, the rest of us would be helpless to complete our mission. More then our own hides rest on yer shoulders, but the prosperity of Tyr as well. What's more, it will do us no good to get through these barrens if the caravans which will follow us can not. What's more, yer assumin' the beasts will leave ye and Mendi free when they take ye away, but if the beasts have half the brains o' a mekillot, they'll think to tie ye up, if they don't just paralyze the both o' ya with poison, like what Chit can do."

Elric stands before Gaigin, sword belt in hand "Umm, Never thought of that stuff Gaigin. You know me, take action and find out the trouble part second. If it is to be a fight then know I have the strength for a spell already and could get it off rather quickly."

Gaigin turns and questions Ptellac. "Ptellac, do ye know of these creatures? Have yer people encountered their like before?" Gaigin considers for a moment. "It may be that their territory is small and we can plot course around it, but we must make sure. Unless any of us know of a better way, we may all have to meet with this 'Queen o' Insects,' or whate'er they called it, personally."

The pterran's eyes never leave the insectoids as he spits harshly onto the burning hot rocks. The saurian's saliva readily sizzles and is no more under the hot sun as he continues, "Aye, I know of them. They are evil insects called scrabs who pretty much roam the stony barrens. They live in underground colonies ranging from a couple of dozens to hundreds of the buggers. Our guards have a tough time keeping them at bay but up 'till now they seem content to stay within the barrens. We were lucky enough not to have stumbled upon them on our way to Tyr and this seems to be a hunting party."

He looks towards Mendi and both half-elves and adds, "Don't know what you fellows got but they, as other insects, seem to prefer elven meat. Our air-born guards have spotted an elven tribe towards the North who are always in constant skirmishes with the insects. I don't think they have any good intent with our friends and it seems that they will feed them to their Queen." The pterran grabs his spear even tighter, his claws wrapping around the shaft and sinking into his callused palms, "My best bet is to try and stall them to see if any more are present since they hide perfectly in these surrounding and then strike swiftly. Gaigin, maybe you can counter their offer or keep them busy for some time..."

Rayne sets the cub by Elric. "If it's to be a fight, I'll be needing me hands free." The mul begins to prepare herself mentally for battle. Scanning the area to see if she can make out any other insectoids about other than the ones who have shown themselves. The mul makes her next actions look as though she is bored with the situation and simply checking and adjusting her travelling gear, not wanting these seemingly intelligent bugs to get an idea that she is preparing to fight. Rayne prepares the pack of sand shark parts she has been carrying for the elf to slip off so she can fight unencumbered. Next Rayne looks to her weapons with her eyes alone making sure they are ready when she needs them. The mul is thinking fast as the others talk. <one more preparation, but I need time!> "Gaigin stall as long as ye can - I need some time to prepare before the fight." With that the mul slips into the mindscape . . .

MINDSCAPE
Still not feeling at her peak condition, Rayne felt the need to even the odds in this fight a bit. Sensing the power from the scrabs and Tak's images, Rayne does not feel confident to take on a scrab by herself. Speaking in the physical world "Tak if ye need me help in a mental battle, let me know now."

The halfling was busy on his own in the mindscape as well and nods at Rayne's offer.

<since ye is hard to see, so will I be> Rayne's image in the mindscape begins to pick up pieces of her surroundings and place them on her body. As she does this, her physical form begins to change color blending in with her background, making her harder to see. Soon the mul's body blends completely with her surroundings, make her nearly impossible to spot, it is only her movements in battle that betray her location to the careful eye.

Not finished yet, Tak’ needed to know if this preparation would be necessary. Tak’ retreated to his forest home. But not the idyllic one he retired to when seeking solace. This forest was real - or as real as Tak’ could make it - filled with danger and predators.

Standing still, his head cocked for listening, his eyes scanning the undergrowth. If one of these predators would show itself, it would not bode well. For here in this forest, any sign of danger was reflected in the physical world...

The forest was relatively quiet. Birds still sang and the winds still rustled through the trees, but there were no signs of danger. Not quite sure of himself, Tak’ kept an eye on the undergrowth through the proceedings, prepared to act on his instincts if the need arose.

Elric tries to follow Gaigin's and Ptellac's example and thinks ahead. "If we beat them here and escape we should head straight to your village for supplies and rest. Then we could parley with the elf tribe to join forces in removing the scrab threat to future caravans."

Gaigin thinks for a second, then nods. "Aye Elric, we'll have to map the rest of this course on the way home, with the elves help. For now we should worry about getting through here. Which means I gotta stall these things." Gaigin turns back to the Scrabs, puffing up his chest and smoothing his face into the perfect visage of a grim and serious negotiator. Sighing inwardly, Gaigin begins fumbling for what Tak' had called the Mindscape.

MINDSCAPE
Gaigin shuddered imperceptibly as he found himself staring out across a field of nothingness. Gritting his teeth, Gaigin struggled with the unseen-way, trying to wrestle it into allowing him to use his one talent. Focusing his thoughts, Gaigin summoned to mind an image appropriate to his talent. Kalak, now-deceased Sorcerer King of Tyr. It was rare that Gaigin had seen him, but he knew well the feeling of awe, of overwhelming and powerful force that had emanated from the scrawny, decrepit, evil-looking King. Holding the image of his former Master in his thoughts, Gaigin tried to channel the feeling of awe outwards, directed at the Scrabs.

Much as he had expected it would, the power surged and failed. It was exceedingly rare that Gaigin could use his talent at all, and this time was no exception. Fighting down the feeling of mild nausea that accompanied the failed power, Gaigin drops out of the mindscape and turns to face the lead Scrab.

Gaigin turns and addresses the insects, holding himself straight-backed with an officious bearing. Switching to the elven tongue, Gaigin begins.

"I am afraid our parlay got off to a bad beginning. We have not been properly introduced. I am the High Templar Gaigin, emissary of the mighty Sorcerer-King, Rikus, Lord of all the Flatlands, King of the Ziggurat, Slayer of the Great Dragon, Holder of the Reins of Justice, Master of the Royal House of GithSpawnedBastards, and High King of the Tyr Region, may He Live a Thousand Kings Ages."

Gaigin licks his dried lips, knowing his throat would pay later for all this talking.

"I bear a declaration of War, signed by his Eternal and Omnipotent Majesty, may he live a thousand king's ages, against the heathen peoples to the North and West of your nation. The foul Elves are our enemies, whose tribe has insulted his Imperial Omnipotentness, King Rikus of Tyr, may he live a thousand King's ages. For this reason do we travel across your lands, to the village of the Pterrans, who have pledged to us their aid in out endeavor."

Gaigin gestures towards Ptellac, as proof of their destination. His mind was racing by this point, and sweat beaded on his brow. The scrabs were becoming agitated, and Gaigin knew he would have to think fast. He didn't have the Elf's skill in this kind of thing, but he remembered some from his old Templar days, and plowed ahead as best he could.

"His eternal majesty, may he live a thousand king's ages, has heard of your Noble Queen. Indeed, we came through here hoping we would meet Noble Scrabs of her Nation, who could aid us in our endeavor, that we may better serve both our peoples. I am afraid we can not serve up the three elf-kin to her Highness, your Queen, unfortunately. They are favored slaves of his Immortal Majesty, may he live a thousand King's Ages, and he is in the process of leaning them out, seasoning them, free-ranging them, so to speak, so that they may serve as only the finest roasts at his Highness' Inauguration Party. It would be a shame were these juicy morsels fed on before they reach the pinnacle of ripeness."

Meanwhile the speech was going on, the warlock decided to act. Elric looks around at his companions, so it would be battle. He agreed with the decision. Elric loops his sword belt over his shoulder, putting it on again would be too much of a give away. Finding his center of thought, the warlock calmly waits for the signs of a battle yet to begin. A distraction should help give his Pak an edge. <How to cast his spell without being to obvious?> Cursing his youthful disregard for his mother’s teaching, he thought of how she could turn the simple movement of straightening her hair into seven different spells, most of which Elric could still not cast under any conditions. His cloak would have gone a long way in disguising his movements, only his cloak was long since turned into a tagster’s play toy.

Elric was left with but one choice. Raising his voice, Elric's deep baritone voice could be heard speaking the Elven tongue. "I seek the peace of the winds, that I may be at peace when I face my death" He slowly turns toward the West, holding his hands out up and out to his sides, tattered clothing hanging loosely about his form. His Elven words come softly "To the West winds I give thanks, Akliefhsc" As he turns towards the North, Elric motions with his hand, seeming to gather the winds. In Elric’s mage sight, he sees as his web of power slowly begins to form. "To the North winds I give thanks, Gklifishna" As he turns to East, Elric bows low his feet moving in unseen patterns. "To the East winds I give thanks, Fhasm" The warlock smiles as the power flows through him into his intricate web of force.

Gaigin was getting desperate now, throwing himself out on a limb. "It was His Unsurpassed Majesty's hope that your noble people would aid in our endeavor, granting us passage through your lands so that we may reach the village of the Pterrans. In return, it has been given to me to promise to your Queen the flesh of all Elves within the Tribe, and rights to any and all treasure that they may wish to take from the tents of the Elves. What say you, Noble Scrab?"

Gaigin swallowed. The bluff had gone farther then he had ever expected, and it was all up to the Scrabs now. Wishing he had something to pray to, like Tak' or Aryus, Gaigin stood back to await a decision.

Meanwhile, Elric continued his charade. As he turns to the South, Elric straightens hands again in the air. "To the South winds I give thanks, Treisisa" Rotating slowly, he again focuses to the West as he bows his head. Elric’s strong voice could be heard again speaking the Tyrian Common tongue. "Companions the time to strike is now!" Elric raises his head to face the leader of the scrabs. Elric’s grin once again on his face "Know the strength of those you would subjugate". With a snap of his fingers Elric disappears from sight and is gone.

Then silence…

The parley had come to a tense halt as the scrabs pondered upon their next move. The leader hadn't understood the warlock's last words but he was still pondering Gaigin's offer. The insects still dusty from their ambush looked very much like the ground they stood upon. Their chattering had become nervous this time as two of them got up as tall as they could and smelled the air about. The companions were nervous, never having faced the insect-men but were not about to go under without a fight; they had come to far to relinquish their "elves" to some dinner; even if it was for 'Queen'.

The tense moment was broken by three sounds following close upon one another, a swish of an arrow, the crack of chitin as the arrow pierced one of the scrabs on the side and a triumphant cry coming from not too far away. The voice yelled in broken common tongue, "Now's the time to fight! We can take the bugs! Aaayeee!" A second arrow swished by hitting the same scrab in between the two bulbous eyes just as everyone turned around to see where the noise was coming from. The insect dropped to the ground and its hard chitin carapace screeched along the sharp stones that littered the place. The heavily wounded insect whined in the ground, its life's fluid escaping onto the hot rocks as it attempted in vain to piece back together his eyes just as the archer came into view.

It was a young elven boy hardly past his teens. The young punk was dressed in loose fitting clothes made of some sort of soft leather while his lithe body was covered in a hardened leather vest with armbands from which colored feathers hung about. The elf was unusually tall even for one of his race but his body still needed some fleshing out to do. The archer smiled at his handy work and white teeth were seen in a face sharply framed with high cheekbones. The young boy dropped his bow and quiver and gleefully rushed to battle with a raised bone long sword over his head; his head trailed a full blond mane while his arms trailed the colorful feathers. He again spoke in broken common addressing the companions, "Time to fight I said, I have a score to settle with the bugs and now's a good a time as ever."

A second voice broke the stupefaction of everyone involved; this one of a much higher pitch and richly melodious but not less frantic, "I'm right behind ye but move outta the way…." It was another elf, this one also young but distinctly female, she was dressed in flowing black robes and had black ink etched in various parts of her exposed body in some sort of strange pattern. Her flowing dark hair was tied back by a leather cord and a bright, red dot could be seen smack in the middle of her forehead. The young elven girl gestured with her hands which passed over the ground a couple of times and screamed, "Damn, gotta pry the power loose with me teeth from the bug's place but it's coming; oh it IS coming." No one will ever know if it was the heat at the moment or some other trick on their eyes but everyone saw a green wave of energy close in on the girl and rush up her body through her extended hands.

She closes her eyes and seems to glow with an aura and for a little while, a malicious hint could be seen as she no doubt imagines what havoc her energy will cause. She raises her arms and suddenly points them forward, "Qu'ste rayo lspart 'n dooos…" A thin, green ray shoots forth with a crackling sound and a strange smell of ozone that barely misses the onrushing elven boy.

The ray however, hit another scrab right in the middle of its chitin carapace with a loud crackle. The scrab barely moved as he was literally split in two with a splash of ichor and an intoxicating smell of charred insect flesh. The elven boy yelled in a mocking tone, "You ruined him for armor but you have gone a long way to cook our dinner."

Then everything happened at once, Tak's hairs stood out at the back of his neck and seemed to tingle his whole body as the young hunter yelled his warning. The whole party was ready for battle as were the rest of the scrabs who quickly went into action. Mandibles clacked together issuing orders, spellcasters and psionicists prepared for the rampage and the other scrabs clenched their sharp claws in front of them. The scrabs had divided their attention between the elves and half-elves of the party who could swear that the image given out by the insect-men had transformed from one of casual indifference to one of utter hatred towards them.

Your actions…

OUT OF CHARACTER

HEALTH STATUS

Remember the scale:

Healthy (H) 100% hitpoints remaining

Slightly Wounded (SiW) 75% to 100% hitpoints remaining

Wounded (W) 50% to 75% hitpoints remaining

Seriously Wounded (SeW) 25% to 50% hitpoints remaining

Mortally Wounded (MW) 0% to 25% hitpoints remaining

Gaigin (W) Scrab leader (H)

Mendi (H) Scrab 1 (H)

Koreth (H)

Ayrus (W) Scrab 2 (H)

Ptellac (H)

Rayne (W)

Chit (SiW)

Tak (SiW)

Elric (SiW)

Male elf Scrab 3 (Sew), Scrab 4 (H)

Female elf Scrab 5 (H), Scrab 6 (dead)

GENERAL

Alright, sorry to do this to you since I know some of you don't like too much battle but the time to parley is over.

Give me two rounds of action and also state and describe whether any psionic defenses will be used.

I have the last posts from Matt and Vincent describing two rounds of combat so if you don't want to post again, please send me a quick email telling me so and I will use last posts. You may, of course, post again.

WATER SITUATION at the end of the 12th day (i.e. I haven't discounted water for this day yet)

Questions, comments, and suggestions please.

L8r,

Fabian