<strong>The Wilds of Dra Sirdu - Of Diplomacy and Danger</strong><br/><br/>The matriarch listened in surprisingly respectful silence as the Aeryn acted as the spokeswoman for the group (and, indeed, for all of the Dominion, if not precisely with their permission). After the first few points about Dominion foreign policy and political history, however, she pushed herself up from her seated position. She didn’t immediately interrupt the continuing monologue, instead circling the trio and eyeing them thoughtfully, as though she expected to see something different from another vantage point.<br/><br/>Suddenly, she stopped her quick, predatory pacing and waved waved her hand dismissively, clearly meaning to silence Aeryn. “I understand what you speak of. It may surprise you, but we – or perhaps it would be better to simply say<em>I</em>– are not entirely unaccustomed to diplomacy. I will have to reward Visha somehow. Most of my equals would not have had understood you, much less allowed you to carry on like this.” Oddly, particularly given the overtly sibilant and inhuman voices that the other lizardfolk had possessed, the matriarch spoke cleanly and smoothly. Her no-doubt immense lungs gave her a rather low tone of voice, but ultimately, every word was very discernible. Aside from some slight oddities caused by the shaping and size of her mouth and tongue, she didn’t possess much of a discernible accent, either.<br/><br/>“I ... appreciate your offer. Do not mistake me for ungrateful or arrogant. You no-doubt think me some primitive tyrant, regardless of my shape or color. If I have understood correctly, and it was Kelcis who ‘welcomed’ you to our lands, then this impression would have been twofold. He would normally have been right.  My younger companions lack discretion and sound judgement. But they defer to me when it is necessary.” This information was conveyed in a cavalier manner for its seriousness. If anything, the great lizard seemed amused and curious, as though she were testing their reactions.<br/><br/>“But all else aside, you it is you who speaks arrogantly and from a position of ignorance. Perhaps you have already been told of the manner in which the island opposes those who would walk upon its surface. If you can do what we have not for centuries, then negotiations can begin.” She paused for a moment, then added, “And I say this not as a dismissal, but a true offer. Our protection cripples us in dealings with the island. I am grateful for it nonetheless. Our neighbors to the north and east have no such immunity. You will see what it has done to them, if you survive and venture further.”<br/><br/>“Now, as I believe it is customary, I will offer you my given name. It is Rhiss.” Rhiss inclined her head slightly towards the three, not actually prompting for names in return, but quite clearly expecting them.<br/><br/><strong>Around and Overhead</strong><br/><br/>As they traveled deeper into the matriarch’s territory (and, indeed, when they finally arrived in Rhiss’s glade), Eshalu would notice a multitude of shapes following them from branch to branch overhead. The shapes were larger than the juveniles that they had dealt with, and perhaps even slightly bigger (though not much, if at all) than Kelcis. They also more closely resembled silhouettes than they did actual creatures. They moved quite quietly given the rapid leaping that they had to use to keep pace with the rapid travel of their marks, and only the flicker of movement differentiated them from their surroundings. This became doubly clear when the group finally came to a stop to speak with Rhiss: after a few more leaps and bounds to position themselves in a roughly circular formation around the conversationalists, the creatures stopped moving. At this point, they became well and truly invisible, blending perfectly with the greenery around them.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Mechanics!</div><div class="spoiler_body">Rhiss is attempting an Empathy roll to Create Advantage against the group (though Aeryn is definitely her primary focus). Luckily enough, she only scores a At 2013-05-05 01:21:45, Rhiss (uid: 13420) rolls: 4d3a-5 Result: 1 (http://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=46152), meaning that it’ll be fairly easy to feed her the impression that you want. Defense can be done via Deceit or Rapport, most likely, to create an impression other than the one that exists.<br/><br/>Also, Rapport to defend against the Lore Create Advantage: At 2013-05-05 14:19:49, Rhiss (uid: 13420) rolls: 4d3a-4 Result: 4 (http://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=46160). Create Advantage succeeds.</div></div>