"You must love your comrades no matter how they behave. Anger and emotions are a cruel and unforgiving force, and can reduce anyone to savagery." -Prophet Ki'KiskThe Rokthani | Population; ~2400
Westhome: ~500 | Middlehome: ~1600 | Easthome: ~300
Trapping: 1/4
Easthome
@NerevarineAs soon as the Arsuron showed obvious signs of hostilities, the villagers burrowed into the ground out of panic. The lights from their bodies were snuffed out by the sand, and they were gone. Most of them escaped into burrows that were deep enough underground that most dangers couldn't get to them, or at least they would have a hard time. (Rokthan burrows can be anywhere between two to fifty feet under the surface, sometimes even more in the mountain range.)
The Easthome organizer jumped at the sight of Anlug. "
YOU!!" I remember you people! We've come to rid your filthy hides from this land! MEN, DESTROY THIS MONSTROSITY!!"
With that, the Rokthan soldiers slowly advanced toward Anlug brandishing top of the line spears in the clutches of their jaws.
She led them away from the village successfully, for now. At least until one of them decides to gather up the courage to stab her.
@NerevarineMiddlehome
After negotiating the labyrinth of underground tunnels and corridors of Middlehome, the map maker and the small one arrive at the King's residence. "M'lord Shel! It's a pleasure to talk to you again." calls out Vitri, the map maker, with his small companion and assistant following behind. They both entered the den but were surprised to find nobody inside. Vitri searched the den thoroughly but couldn't find a trace of him, aside from some things that were carelessly strewn about. Worried that something might have happened to him, he turns to head outside and ask someone. Just then, Vinal was seen rushing past the entrance down the tunnel. Vitri called out to him. "Excuse me! Vinal!"
Vinal jerked his head toward Vitri. "What are you doing here?!" he snapped back.
"...Pardon?" responded Vitri, confused as to why he was so terse. "I merely came to speak with Shel about-"
"This is not a good time!" interrupted Vinal, eyes wide. If Rokthani could sweat, he would be soaked.
"Please, Vinal, tell me what is wrong." says Vitri slowly moving forward expectantly.
"Nothing is wrong! At least... I don't think so! Everything should be fine, unless something is wrong... which it might be, but probably not! NOTHING IS WRONG!" Vinal is becoming more stressed by the second, but finally gains enough composure to explain the situation. "The Queen is giving birth to her brood. It's a complicated pregnancy and we have no idea what will come out of her highness, but..." He takes a deep breath and exhales. "We're doing the best we can. We've closed off the nursery to the public and only let a few of our associates in." Vinal stares at the room behind them, shifting his eyes around the place before turning back to the direction of the nursery. Before moving on, he turns his head back to the two others. "Is what you have to tell the king important?"
The small one begins to speak. "Well, it's ab-" Vitri interrupts him. "Yes, sire. It is of the utmost importance."
Vinal thinks for a moment. "Alright, follow me." he says, leading them to the nursery, where the king and queen are located.
North of Middlehome, some time ago...
In the chilly peaks of the mountain range, a small troop of Rokthani march their way to the North in search of something. According to the rest of the village, they were on a simple scouting mission. A trek up range in an attempt to find suitable grounds to settle. But in reality, what they were looking for was their god.
"Dear, we really must turn back. My frills are practically freezing off! And we've been traveling for so long." says Gnila, shivering and slithering behind Shel. Shel slowed down to comfort Gnila by pressing up against her.
"My beautiful, strong Gnila, we're almost there. I assure you." Shel says while rubbing his whisker up against her cheek.
"You've already said that several times. I've lost count."
All of a sudden, the group comes to a halt just before a cliff drop. "Ugh! Don't tell me we have to find a way around!" Says Gnila exasperatingly slithering to the front of the pack.
Shel responds with awe in his voice. "I don't believe that's necessary..."
They've found what they were looking for. The source of the Ki'Kisk river. The place that was described as the birthplace of the prophet Ki'Kisk himself. Shel hurriedly, yet carefully, slides down the steep cliff side to the lake below. Gnila nearly has a fit at the action.
"Sh-Shel!! What are you doing?!"
Shel, clearly not able to hear her (or just not listening), continues to tumble down the cliff as the other members of the group follow suit. "Honestly!" she scoffs, carefully working her way down. Her being careful doesn't seem to be enough however, as the gravel already loosened by the descents of the others gives way, and she starts uncontrollably rolling down the cliff side. Beating the others to the bottom by a literal landslide, she ends her journey with an "Ugh!" and a *splash*.
"Dearest! Are you okay?! Speak to me!" says a very concerned Shel shaking Gnila back and forth as she lays flat on her back in the lake shore.
"I'm fine! I'm just fine..." she says and she shakes off a load of dust and mud. "OH!" she says, noticing where she was. I shouldn't be in these waters! They're sacred, aren't they? Ohh, how careless of me..."
"No, not at all! It was clearly my fault. I shouldn't have gotten so excited." says Shel licking the mud off her face. The rest of the troop reach the lake.
"You there! I want all of you to take a good look at this place and keep a record of it!" says Shel, barking out orders in his regular fashion. "I want that island explored, any strange... sightings... ...Gnila?"
Gnila was feint. She seemed incredibly tired and her eyes were barely open. From the looks of things, she was becoming paler as well.
"M'lord, is there something we can do?!" says one of the group members.
"Yes..." says Shel, gazing down at his love. "Get her out of here! We're to head back to the village immediately!"
"But your lordship, we've come all this way... there's still so much to be learned, I-"
"
Don't you dare question my authority!" shouts Shel. "I want her back... to where it's... safe... and... I... feel..."
And that point, both Shel and Gnila fell unconscious.
The last thing Shel remembers is waking up with a fever in his den next to Gnila, where they were both being treated.