Pescado Branch
Leader of the Saurid Remnants
A Saurid Meeting in the Sss'Rak'kk Mound (Private, Mod Please) Timestamp: 31st of Tempris, in the Season of Fall, Era XVIII, during the Age of Heroes Ra'Ssss'ni, had been charged by Pescado to meet with the leader of the Sss'Rak'kk to discuss what the now dead saurid had discussed with the Sultan of Arakmat. As he made his way through the desert, he finally came to the entrance of the mound, which was built into a dune of sand, with saurid guarding the entrance. It was like any other gate, but Ra'Ssss'ni was sure that they had other guards hiding out within the desert that would be watching carefully as the Ki'Ssss'kk saurid made his way towards the initial guards at the entrance. Upon his arrival, he nodded his snake-like head, to each of the guards, and then said, "I have a messsssage, and an offer from the Ki'Ssssss'kk moundssssss, asssss well asssss the Ssssssultan of Arakmat... Might I be able to sssssspeak with your Dri'Kalossssss about thessssse mattersssss? My name issssss Ra'Sssss'ni, and I am the head warrior of the Dri'Kalosssss of the Ki'Sssss'kk moundsssss in the Carmelya Hinterlandsssss... The information and offer I carry relate to a meeting between the Ssssssultan and the Dri'Kaloss of the Ki'Ssss'kk as well assssss the Council of Ssss'Rak that was held lassssst era..." As he finished, he carefully watched the saurid guards, in an effort to gauge how they would react to his response to the initial query of "Who goes there". Everything would depend on this message getting through, and the agreement to the offer. Ra'Ssss'ni was a decent diplomat between saurid mounds, and was well versed in the other cultures of the saurid. Pescado and Sssss'lik'lia had put their trust in him, that he'd do the right thing, and attempt to get the saurid of the Ssss'Rak'kk whom per the "Council of Rak" had already basically agreed to move their mounds, so long as they were given protection from humans on the move. Pescado had not yet told Ra'Ssss'ni of his most current insight into the future though, so he had no knowledge of that. But at least the Dri'Kaloss of the Ssss'Rak'kk had believed what Pescado had said about the contagion that would spread like wildfire if they didn't get the mounds of the Ssss'Rak'kk moved to the eastern borders of the Arakmatan Frontierlands... OOCThe use of the NPC Ra'Ssss'Ni has been approved via the HDT about the Saurid Mounds of the Ki'Ssss'kk, and of former GM Soldier. All pertinent information on him can be found in my SoF, at least it should be there. |
Guards did love their ‘who goes there’ queries whenever anyone approached. It didn’t matter if they were Saurid or Softskin, it was a pretty common reaction to someone new. The guards looked at each other upon hearing the reason given to them, and one of them wandered off. The other turned his eyes to Ra’Ssss’ni and responded using the native language of the Saurid people. “You will wait here while we see if the Dri’Kaloss is available.” That was a fairly standard procedure. Most people holding important positions were not exactly always available. Eventually the other guard came back and motioned for Ra’Ssss’ni to come forwards. “The Dri’Kaloss will see you. Follow me.” With that, the guard turned and led the messenger through the mounds, heading towards the private residence of the Saurid that was in charge of this particular mound. The guard motioned for Ra’Ssss’ni to stay outside and entered the residence. Low voices could be heard for several moments and the guard soon came back outside. “He’s waiting for you. Go on in.” The door was held open for Ra’Ssss’ni to enter, and it was closed behind him once he entered. The large Saurid known as Srakk was waiting seated behind what could only be described as some kind of desk, except it wasn’t in the traditional Human sense. It was more a piece of furniture used for organising things more than anything else. A stool that was perfect for Saurids sat on the other side of this piece of furniture. The Dri’Kaloss indicated towards the stool, offering it to Ra’Ssss’ni as he spoke. “My guards tell me you come from the Ki’Ssss’kk mounds to discuss something regarding the meeting from the last era? I am curious as to why your leader did not come in person… but please, sit and let us talk.” |
As Ra'Ssss'ni made his way through the mound, he looked about it's differences from his own mound. Allowing his monitor like head to swivel upon reaching the doorway where he was directed in to see the Dri'Kaloss of the Ki'Ssss'kk mounds, Ra'Ssss'ni entered, and took a seat as dictated by the mound's leader. "Yesssss, I am here about the movement of the Sssss'Rak'kk moundsssss to the eassssst, away from Aelyria'sssss wessssstern bordersssss... The late Dri'Kalossssss, Pesssssscado Branch, before hisssss death, had ssssspoken with the Sssssultan of Arakmat, and had arranged with him to ssssssee if you'd accssssept their assssisssstancssssse in moving the mound towardsssss a more sssssecure location... ssssspecssssifically between Nadir and Zenith, an oasssssissssss hidden by the mountainssssss, where your people could cut their homesssss within, and sssssurvive there, unhindered by the sssssoftsssssskin... Pesssssscado'ssssss brother, the lasssssst ssssssurviving member of the branch clan, Daxssssosssss Branch, whom isssss alssssso an accomplisssssshed myssssstic, asssss well, hassss ssssent a gift of forsight with mysssssself assss well, for you to view at your leissssssure. He hasssss taken up the reignsssss of where Pesssssscado left off in hisssss death..." said Ra'Ssss'ni, looking down towards the ground, saddenned about his best friend's death, but also bringing forth from his pouch, a simple stone. "Within thisssss ssssstone liesssss the future viewed by Daxsssssosssss of our racssssse... a future he sssssaw through the power of Orod'sssss Prophecsssssy..." said Ra'Sssss'ni. "The activation word isssss Sssssoftsssssskin..." And then he passed the stone over towards Ssss'Rakk if the elder saurid would take it. It contained a memory from Daxos, a memory that showed the softskins and Xet both killing the saurid race. If and when Ssss'Rakk viewed it, which was hopefully immediately, Ra'Ssss'ni, then said in the saurid language, "I believe after hearing what Daxos was saying, that we can no longer trust the softskin's either. We must bring the saurid race together once more, in an effort to make our place in the world... We must take what is rightfully ours, and Daxos is preparing himself for war, a war with the Xet to take back our lands. We cannot do it alone, and we cannot sit silently if our future is to be dependent on the softskins and xet killing us together... there are over three million saurid captive, all we need to do is figure out a way to rebel against the Xetan overlords, take back Siblick, and even Rak'harin... We must find a way to take our land back, the land that was truly ours... These are the words Daxos has spoken to me, the vision Pescado had before he died, a saurid race one and united once more... The council must be called again, and we have to convince them. Another thing to consider, is the plague, we must stop it from happening to our people, but perhaps it can be used as a weapon against the Xet... from one of Pescado's visions... I do not know if we can accomplish their goals, but you were by far one of the only ones to believe in what Pescado had said, and i'll ask you to lay your trust in a dead saurid as he'd joined with the One True Way... He's one with the planet now..." As Ra'Ssss'ni finished, he bowed his head in respect to the elder Dri'Kaloss once more, his youthful vibrance obviously showing, even though he was about as old as Pescado himself, whom now retained the name of Daxos. Ra'Sssss'ni would work to help the saurid cause in uniting the saurid people once more, against a common enemy. The Xet would pay in his mind, and he wouldn't stop until Pescado's and Daxos, and the Saurid's dream was complete, the utter annihilation of the Xetan menace, and the protection of the planet of Telath... |
"Ah, I believe I remember that being discussed." As Ra'ssss'ni spoke and produced the stone, the Dri'Kalos reached out and accepted it. He gave a nod to show that he understood it contained the necessary memories and prophecy that had been spoken of in the past. "Ah, so this is the prophecy that was originally discussed... and you say the Sultan is happy for us to move the mound?" That was certainly a step in the right direction since the council had discussed trying to move further towards Arakmat previously. Maybe the two races could actually benefit each other. "I would like to meet this Daxos eventually, as he has taken over Pescado's position." It seemed for the best that the Dri'Kalos view the prophecy for himself. He held the stone in his hand and uttered the command phrase that had been supplied to him. It was interesting to him to finally see the prophecy that had been discussed at the council meeting. Once he'd seen it for himself, the leader of the mound listened as Ra'ssss'i explained what Daxos wanted to do. It seemed a little bit far-fetched to him, especially considering who their enemies were. The Xet were a race that were not to be trifled with, or underestimated. "It is certainly a long term plan, but a bit ambitious at this point in time." There was a lot to consider, but the Dri'Kalos seemed to feel that dealing with more immediate concerns would be a much better plan. "I agree that the council should likely be brought back together to discuss our long-term goals. However, we need to consider the short term." He fell silent at this point and placed his hands on the desk, watching the messenger from Daxos' mound. So far, moving his own had been discussed, but there had been no mention of the one that Daxos ran. "So the Sultan agreed to us moving. If we go to war with the Xet, will he help us? Also, what about your own mound? I believe we were supposed to be consolidating the Saurid race to the best of our ability?" |
"I completely agree with you, the short term should be looked upon right now, with our long term goals to be worked towards with each short step. First, as Daxos and Pescado had previously said, the consolidation of our race... The Ki'Rak'kk seem to not want anything to do with the rest of the saurid race. As for our mound, we are willing to move into the area the sultan has set out as well, in order to better bring our race together. The only home that was truly suitable for all races though, was Rak'Harin, the former capitol of the saurid nation. I doubt it's livable there now though considering the contamination wrought on by the Orb of Ssss'Rak's destruction..." said Ra'Ssss'ni, noting that they were indeed willing to move their mound to consolidate it with the mound of the Ssss'Rak'kk, if indeed the sultan was still willing to extend his hand in help to the saurid people, especially after what had happened in the Dervish Oasis. "With our mounds moved together, we have a Master Architect that would probably be able to design suitable homes for us within the cliffs by the oasis that the Sultan spoke of. It will definitely be a change of environment for our tribe, but i'm sure we'll adapt, as most saurid have adapted..." Ra'Ssss'ni continued, speaking still in the saurid language that he was so used to speaking. "As for if he'll help us against the Xet, there is that possibility, I do not know for certain though if he shall or not, from what Pescado had said before his passing, he did indeed ask about the Orb of Ssss'Rak, and the Spear of Kal'srak, and if they could be reforged. I know that was one thing Pescado had wanted to look into... But to my knowledge, there is not one saurid alive with the skill needed to reforge those artifacts... Perhaps the Ki'Rak'kk know of one since they originally were the ones who crafted the Spear of Kal'srak, but as for the Orb... only the Seru'll Iru knew of how to create it... and they didn't even appear at the council, our messengers to them were lost unfortunately..." A heavy sigh escaped Ra'Ssss'ni's mouth, as he looked back up towards the Dri'Kaloss of the Ssss'Rak'kk. "I can arrange a meeting between you and the Dri'kaloss of my mound, Daxos, for early next season, as right now he is very busy with more arcana trials, ever since the eclipse happened, he put me in charge of the decisions of the mound, with his grace, so that we can work to consolidate the saurid race as best as possible. When it comes time to face the Xet though, he will be leading our tribe, as apart of the Council of Ten once more..." said Ra'Ssss'ni, finishing his piece and awaiting a response from the Dri'Kaloss of the other tribe, in hopes of positive feedback... |
With Ra’ssss’ni agreeing that the short term was much more important in the here and now, the leader of the mound appeared to be a lot more relaxed, so that was a good thing. He also seemed to brighten up when there was news that they would also be willing to move their mound, bringing two parts of the Saurid race together, united in a common goal. It was only baby steps for the grand plan that had been discussed the previous era, but they were steps never the less. Hopefully two mounds coming together would help to encourage the remainder of the tribes to join as well. “You have an Architect already? That is marvellous news!” If they had someone that could design the homes and oversee the operation, then Saurids from both mounds could begin the actual excavating and building process. It would make the move all the more easier. It also sounded like the terrain would be good for both mounds, even if some adaptation would be required as Ra’ssss’ni noted. “We will adapt. It is how we have endured for so long in the past. This move will be no different.” Apparently the Dri’Kalos was feeling very positive about this venture, which wasn’t a bad thing at all. Re-forging the artifacts would be a massive undertaking, and very difficult to say the least. The spear was a possibility, but the orb was not due to the fact no-one had any kind of contact with the Seru’ll Iru. “Maybe, once the move and consolidation of mounds is complete, we can look into an expedition to contact the Seru’ll Iru? We need to know the fate of our brothers since they didn’t show at the council and the messengers disappeared.” It was a good point that the Dri’Kalos made, and he hoped that Ra’ssss’ni might agree with that. As for the meeting with Daxos, that would have to do. The Saurid inclined his large head to indicated that would be acceptable. “That would be good. In the mean time, I suggest that both mounds begin drawing up plans to move. The more time we have to make sure our people are moved safely, the better. I wish to avoid as many fatalities for my mound as possible, and I am sure that Daxos would feel the same. When the time comes to face the Xet, I look forward to marching with him in battle.” So far, the meeting was going very well. |
"Very well, I sssssshall contact the Ssssssultan of Arakmat with thisssss newsssss come the new sssssseasssssson, and sssssssee if he'll sssssstill exssssstend the offer of help. Even if he won't, i'm ssssssure we'll be able to find a more ssssssuitable location to the easssssst, but have little doubt, the Ssssssultan felt the move would be a good thing asssss well when he ssssspoke to Pesssssscado about it," said Ra'Ssss'ni as he watched the Sssss'Rak'kk leader and listened to him speak even more. He did indeed make a good point about the expedition to find the Seru'll Iru, and Ra'Ssss'ni nodded when he spoke of it. "We ssssshall arrange it oncssssse the move hasssss been completed, and the moundsssss consssssolidated..." he said, and then looked towards him once more. "I ssssshall relay thisssss newsssss to Daxsssssosssss, in the meantime, isssss there anything elssssse we might need to dissssscusssss?" he asked, finally, looking towards the leader of the mound of the Ssss'Rak'kk, wondering if he himself had anything they needed to discuss that hadn't already been brought up between them thus far... |
The discussion had gone well and it seemed that the two saurid mounds had reached an accord. They would get their people to move to the land provided by the Sultan, uniting a small portion of the Saurid race and providing them with a little more protection than they currently enjoyed. The organization part of the move was probably going to be the most difficult part, followed by the actual travelling. It also seemed that both mounds had agreed to try and find their Saurid brothers whom hadn’t attended the meet. Considering the messengers hadn’t managed to reach them, that was not a good sign, so they needed to find out for themselves what had happened. There was only one more thing that the Dri’Kalos could think of discussing. “I think we send our builders and architects to the new location first… with some guards. We would be better preparing for the arrival of both mounds, rather than moving everyone at once and then building what we need. The journey may not be easy, so our people will need to be able to settle in as soon as possible.” He thought it was quite a reasonable suggestion, now it would be interesting to see if the other saurid would agree. |
"I quite agree with you, with one excssssseption, mossssstly that winter isssss coming, sssssso our mound will be ssssssurrounded by ssssssnow, and we won't be able to move asssss freely asssss we will in the sssssspring. Perhapsssss we sssssshould sssssspeak with the Ssssssultan in order to reach an accord fully and finissssssh gaining hisssss help, then plan for our buildersssss and architectssssss to move to the new location of the mound come the firssssst of sssssspring, unlesssss perhapssssss you have a way of getting them to Arakmat come winter, without too many of them dying from exssssssposssssure to the freezssssssing elementsssss?" he then asked, worried about his mound as he often did when winter with the Carmelyan hinterlands hit. Snow would gather, and they'd likely be stuck in the mound for quite a bit of time, using fire to heat it, and the food they'd gathered over the summer and fall to keep them alive during the winter... |
It was a very good point. Trying to build during the winter, and then move two mounds of Saurids to their new home would not bode well in the middle of winter. Plus it would allow them time to make sure that the sultan would hold up his end of the bargain. Securing the diplomatic relations over the winter period was most certainly the best way to proceed. “You raise good points, so let us look into that over the next few months.” Of course, he didn’t want this delegate from the other Saurid mound to feel as if they were doing all of the work, not when this would be a mutually beneficial situation. “If we can help out with the sultan in any way, please do not hesitate to say so. I would hate for you to feel as if you were doing all of the work.” The Dri’Kalos certainly saw this as a merging of both mounds and seemed to want to help as much as possible to make that reality happen. “Aside from that, I think all we can do is start looking into materials and tools needed, maybe draw up some architectural plans for your mound to review… and that’s probably about it.” |
"If you would like to send an envoy to accompany me on my journey and trip to Arakmat to relay the news to the Sultan, you may very well do so, It might help to show him that he has your support if the Xetan threat breaches Aelyria's borders..." said Ra'Ssss'ni as he looked towards the Dri'Kaloss of the other mound. "That is the only thing the Sultan ask for, or has asked for in return for his cooperation to assist in the movement and protection of the mound... But helping to draw up the plans for the mounds movement, as well as construction of the new area would be helpful for us, and give you something to do during the winter to help keep the process moving along..." Other than that, Ra'Ssss'ni had little more to discuss with the Dri'Kaloss of the Ssss'Rak'kk mounds. If he had any further questions, he was free to ask them, and Ra'Ssss'ni would answer to the best of his ability... |
Having a representative from each mound was also a pretty good idea, especially as the Sultan was hoping that the saurids would help to defend the area against any potential Xetan incursions. "Since both mounds will be agreeing to help with defense, I believe your idea is a good one. I would be happy to send a representative with you, and even have them stay in your mound to assist with the operation if you so wish it." Clearly the Dri'Kaloss wanted to do everything in his power to make the merging of the mounds actually work. He also nodded when it was agreed that his mound would help to draw up plans for construction, since it would give them something to do rather than just sitting around. "Then I shall have my best architecht's start work on plans as soon as possible." The Saurid nodded his head at that. It seemed their business was at an end for the moment, so now it was just a matter of finding someone to return with Ra'Ssss'Ni and help with the Sultan. "I will need to find someone trustworthy that I can send with you. Please, spend the remainder of the brightening with us and enjoy some hospitality before you return home. That will give me time to find someone appropriate, and let you get some rest. Do you need any provisions for your return journey?" |
"Provisions would be beneficial, i'm not sure how decent my hunting has been throughout the past few brightenings, and there is not much to hunt in the desert from what i've noticed. I've been able to just get by, but any assistance in the matter would be good for now. I thank you for the hospitality," he then said bowing his head towards the Dri'Kaloss of the Ssss'Rak'kk mounds. "Once you've found someone to come with me, please, let me know so that we might be on our way, and get things rolling as they should..." OOCSorry for the short reply, just wanted to get this going again! |
"The desert is not a forgiving mistress at the best of times." Since Ra'Ssss'Ni had agreed to stay in the mounds for a while, he was lead to what appeared to be some kind of guest quarters. It was sparsely decorated, clearly the Dri'Kaloss preffered funcationality over opulance, but that wasn't necessarily a bad thing. The visiting Saurid was given access to any kind of amenities that he might like, and plenty of food and drink for the remainder of the Brightening. Food was a fairly plain affair, but there was more than enough to ensure that this guest to the mounds would not starve or leave on an empty stomach. There was socalising in the evening, allowing the envoy to get a rough idea what these other Saurids were like. The next brightening, Ra'Ssss'Ni would be provided with some food and drink before he headed off. The Dri'Kaloss had other matters to attend to, but he made sure one of his aides was always present so the visiting Saurid could inform them once he was ready to leave. There was no rush for him to head on back home. Once he was ready, the Dri'Kaloss was informed and he met Ra'Ssss'Ni at the entrance to the mound. Another Saurid was with him, obviously the person he'd promised to return to the mound. "I apologise for my lack of presence today. I've been making a start on co-ordinating things this end." A slight inclination of the head was given as an apology. "This is Salik. He is one of my most trusted aides, and can speak for the mound in my absence. As promised, he will return with you. Provisions are ready and will be brought out for you both within a few moments. Is there anything else you need? Or that we can do to help in this large undertaking?" |
"Not to worry, your lack of presence is only a sign that you're busy with what a Dri'kaloss should be doing, taking care of his mound," said Ra'Ssss'Ni as he looked towards the Sss'Rak'kk Dri'Kaloss. "And greetings to you Salik," he then said, showing his neck so that they knew he had no fear of death, a common greeting among saurid. One that he was used to giving when meeting with new saurid around him. "Whenever you're provisions are ready, we shall be departing, and heading back to the Ki'Ssss'kk mounds to give Daxos the news of what we have found out... Then it's off to Arakmat with us to speak with the Sultan about what has transpired within this meeting. I'm sure by the springtime, Daxos will be making a visit here if he hasn't already stopped by in the Winter, Hopefully we can get everything sorted out before the snow hits around us, so that we aren't trapped in our mound before then... but this winter might very well be a harsh one... We won't know til it hits." And then if everything was in order, Ra'Ssss'Ni would take Salik, and they would depart from the mounds of the Sss'Rak'kk in order to return to Daxos to give him the good news, and then head to Arakmat... |