Rebirth and redemption

[Anastasia]

"No reason not to try," Dolmaya agrees. "Even if I have doubts of our success."

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa nods, "Then I'll try and you keep ready. This place likes ambushes so much, let's have one ready, too."

With that, Alyssa turns back to the presumed harpy and tries to remember what she knows of them.

K check here to kick off Knowledge Devotion and try to figure out language and if there's any cultural norms to be followed here.

[Anastasia]

Harpies tend to form tribes and by default are nasty, caustic creatures. They use their songs to lure in travelers and then inflict horrible torments on them. Many are highly skilled archers and occasionally sorcerers or favored souls of evil deities.

However, a harpy in Ysgard is likely going to be of a far different temperament than a standard harpy. This one may well be an exception to the norm who ended up here instead of in the Abyss. That or a nasty one that's still alive is here for reasons of their own.

[Iron Dragoon]

Anything about languages and proper greetings or rituals?

[Anastasia]

Harpies generally speak Common as well as any languages local to where they are. If they live and hunt in elven lands, they'll speak Elven for example.

Harpies are generally standoffish, and most diplomacy is best done at a distance - their preference since it favors them with flight and their penchant for song and archery.

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa steps into the mouth of the chamber, leaving her hands visible and speaks clearly and loudly, "Hello! I recognize your kind, Harpy, as one who is intelligent and greet you openly and with respect. I know some of your kind and will keep my distance. I will keep my intrusion into your nest as minimal as I can. I would like to speak with you about this valley and be on my way with minimal disturbance to you."

[Anastasia]

Well, that was well spoken. Give me Diplo with a +5 bonus.

[Iron Dragoon]

Diplo/Cunning Knowledge:

Take 10 for 102.

[Anastasia]

The harpy comes down a little further, visible now above you, about 55ft up or so. "Go," she says, "This isn't my lair. I'm hiding from her - I hear she's moved on but I'm taking no chances."

[Iron Dragoon]

"Her? As you can see, I'm lacking in.. everything. Please tell me what this danger is. All I'm really looking for is a pass out of this valley."

[Anastasia]

Dolmaya stands at the ready but lets you talk, gaze upwards as well.

"Her. She calls herself J...something with a J. A woman with long red hair who claims to be a phoenix. She's far too strong." A sour scowl at that, "She knows the arts of a paladin of liberation as well."

[Iron Dragoon]

That ping anything?

Alyssa nods slowly, "I see. I can understand why you'd be worried; your kind are generally considered on the... less than good side of things. I'm a big more pragmatic than a paladin, however. If you can help us to find a way out from this valley, then if I happen to come across this paladin, I'd be more than happy to try to give her a reason to leave you alone."

[Anastasia]

K:P.

"Don't bother - the caves change over time, usually overnight," Is the answer, "Everyone has to find their own way out."

[Iron Dragoon]

K:P/Bibliotheca:

Take 10 for 72.

[Anastasia]

You've heard the faintest rumors - something about a phoenix paladin. It's pretty muddied and sixth hand or so, though. Moreso because you can rule out over half of them to misunderstood information about Kascha, one of Seira's allies.