Brief Recap:

The female roc's injury has been mended. Gellen, the healer, has been offered compensation in the form of food and metal bars, but he's a bit bewildered at the unorthodox lack of coinage.
~
A group of 40 Rozoolliim, including Princess Mazooll, has been dispatched to Eastcave.
~
The Eastcave dispatch found a beautiful amulet among the ruins, which Mazooll prized greatly. However, fearing the possibilty of harmful magic, the rest of the Rozoolliim coerced her into leaving it...for now. She was very unhappy about it.
~
A large menagerie of some sort has been found, with a group of flying, feathered creatures residing within. Feeling that diplomacy could be more prudent than force, a Harbinger has hailed them for the chance to talk.

>>26459167

New?
Read the old threads here:

Thread One
https://archive.foolz.us/tg/thread/25878673/#q25882885
All others
https://archive.foolz.us/tg/search/subject/Insectomania/username/Insect-Lord%20Farezz/

Wanna stay informed?
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It is time-time

>>26459172

The last thing you heard was a piercing shriek, coming from the other side of the monstrous chamber.
The creatures above you hover in the same position, all focusing on the Rozoolliim below.
After a moment of stillness, a gust of wind floods through the chamber, stirring sand and dust, obscuring the Insect's vision. When it clears, a massive, feathered creature can be seen flying towards Mazooll and the Harbinger before her.
With a final, great beating of her wings the creature lands, taking in the variety of strange intruders.
She says a few words in a cluck-y language that the Harbinger can't understand, but after realizing that the language is lost on the Rozoolliim, rasps in broken commontongue:

"Why have come here? Unwelcome. Plunderers! Thieves. Like rest. We fight rest! We win always. Never take nest! Galeplume Clan ALWAYS WIN! Now why. Have. Come. Here!?"

Choose one:
>A). Information/Discovery.
>B). Fortune/Valuables/Treasure.
>C). To Hunt! (Describe the Mystery Creature)
>D). Write-In

Leader: Mazooll (Equipment: Glaive)
9 Warriors, 5 Scavengers, 3 Nomads, 3 Curious Ones, 3 Tunnelers, 9 Workers (1 Critical Condition) and 8 Harbingers

>>26459318
"We come to this place to explore, look for treasures, make sure nothing is here that will hurt our people. And to find a strange creature that scared our scouts away. We mean no harm and offer you some of our food and water. Will be gracious hosts and offer us hospitality in return?"

>>26459318
D write in

Talk in common. "We mean no harm fowl-flesh. We have ventured-com to look for strange things our scouts have reported. The Broodmistress seeks to know only what lies beyond. We shall vacate-leave in peace".

>>26459428
Should we mention our curiosity about the sculptures of our queen?

>>26459428
I like it though I think keeping our wanting to look for "treasure" a secret.

>>26459486
Mentioning how the sculptures look like our queen might give us some insight.

>>26459486
This was me.

>>26459483
This, pretty much.
But we should still mention the large creature.

It might be a good thing we left the necklace behind, these birds might have taken offense to us plundering.

>>26459428
So i suggest we do this but change out look for treasure with look for the sculptures that resemble our royalty.

>>26459564
I agree with this. But we also need to mention that we didn't bring the food or water with us. And the food and water would be for a trade of what they know about these caves, the trade would be completed at a later date.

>>26459683
We could suggest it.

>>26459318

The Harbinger replies in commontongue, describing their purpose here: To explore, to find a monstrous creature they had seen before, to learn, especially about the startling resemblance that the royalty of the Rozoolliim has with the figures that adorn this place.

The great creature looks from the Harbinger to Mazool, who stands just about a head taller than her. She stares silently for a moment. She turns her head and shrieks to one of the other creatures, who quickly flutters to her side. She clucks something in their strange language, then the smaller creature flutters away.

"You come. Follow. Show you." She says ponderously.

She beckons you farther into the chamber and beats her wings, taking off for the other side of the room.
What could she possibly want to show you?

>A). Follow. There could be helpful information.
>B). Stay. Whatever they have to show, they can show you here. Right?
>C). Leave. This could be a trap. They could be waiting to ambush you...
>D). Write-In

>>26459764
A) Follow but be ready in case it's a trap.

>>26459764
A. Follow. All of us. All the warriors we brought and the tunnelers and whatnot.

>>26459799
>>26459818
I agree with both of these. If the group doesn't respond back soon then rozooll will most likely send in an army to take out whatever was in there.

We should be mindful of the fact that Mozooll really wanted a necklace that we left back in the other room. We promised it to her and if she doesn't get it I'm slightly afraid of what she would do.

>>26459888
Trips suggest that we listen to him. maybe we can barter some weapons for it later.

>>26459818
Agreed

>>26459764

The Rozoolliim follow the trail of dust that the large creature kicked up, passing by rows of empty cages and the single occupied cage. The inhabitant looks at the members passing by lazily, before resuming its melancholic slumber.
The other side of the chamber is heavily shaded, growing progressively dimmer until finally they reach the far side, which is cloaked in gloom, starkly contrasting the brilliance of the sunlit ceiling.

The creature is waiting for you on the other side, surrounded by a dozen more of her clan. They stand in front of a small passage, dimly lit by smoldering torches.

She holds up a hand, stopping the Rozoolliim.

"They stay." She says, gesturing to the soldiers. "You come. Both." She nods to the Harbinger and Mazooll. It seems like just you three are permitted to go...wherever it leads.

Choose one:

>A). Go down the passage. Perhaps the place she's showing you is sacred in some regard?
>B). Refuse. Even alone, this place is unfamiliar. Something could be amiss here.
>C). Write-In

>>26460092
>A). Balls in mode engage.

>>26460092

Oop. Forgot a little tidbit:
She also demands that Mazooll leave her weapon with the others.

>>26460160
Do they bring weapons?

>>26460092
A) We have come this far so we might as well go all the way.

>>26460206

No. The creatures all don't have weapons, even the leader.

>>26460214
Yeah I agree no change in m,y choice!

>>26460092
>A
But request that the Rozoolliim are allowed to stand directly outside of the tunnels entrance.

>>26460238
This. Tell-say they are nervous without us. We calm them with our presence

>>26460092

Seeing that their 'hosts' are also unarmed, Mazooll decides that they can be trusted enough to follow. She leaves her weapon with one of the Warriors and follows the Harbinger and creature down the hall.

The creature leads Mazooll and the Harbinger down the hall, waddling at an awkward pace. After a few minutes the hall opens up into a small, dimly lit chamber. The roof extends up someways, much taller than it is wide, but it seems to be a private bed-chamber, by the look of things.

She turns flutters up to a large wooden post, resting upon it as Mazooll and her translator stand below her.

"This place home." She says, once her guests had settled. "Thieves come. Thieves try to kill. Try to steal. We fight. We win. Galeplume endure, but..." she says, her voice drifting in contemplation.

"Man have found before. Have killed us many. Bugs," She looks at Mazooll "...not like them. Man have hurt too? Seen it, yes. Heard it, yes. Wind tells us so. Man cruel."

She tears down a cloth draped over the wall. Behind which lies a surprisingly well-preserved mosaic. It depicts a many-armed figure high above a desert, looking down on a single, great egg in the sand.

"This one think egg is us. Come here, find bug men on wall. Not know them. But see egg, think it mean this our home. But see bug men and think that maybe it mean...both home? But still hunted. Great creature lives in big room above. Guards great thing. Galeplume desires thing. Needs thing. Help keep Galeplume alive, this one think. This one think bug men help? More pictures inside room."
She gestures to the mosaic on the wall.

Seems that she's proposing a deal of some sort. Apparently the creature is a common foe and that they're willing to help you kill the creature, in exchange for whatever artifact lies within.

Deal?

>Yes
>No
>Write-In/Negotiation (1d100 Roll required)

>>26460558
"Human-things are cruel-dumb, but they can be taught and made to obey. But yes, these ones will help you. No living thing should stand alone"

>>26460576
Seconded thou say it more like a Rozollian.

Rolled 28

>>26460558
We'll help, but in return we'll want that necklace, and probably some other treasures. Those statuettes, for instance.

Rolled 27

>>26460576
Agreed.

Rolled 84

>>26460558
Agree, but ask that in return the humans that we rule will not be harmed and that all of the treasures that resemble our royalty and our people along with the necklace will be given to us.

Rolled 59

>>26460717
Seconded.

>>26460717
do this-this. And say "Humans are dumb-fools. They not know what they do. Must be forgiven. Some have learned they were wrong, some have come to worship our mother because she is stronger than them. We have already forgiven them"

>>26460812
This is good do it with mine!

>>26460558

Mazooll talks with the Harbinger for a moment, discussing possible alterations to the proposal.
After a length, the Harbinger agrees to her terms but offers a few of their own. He asks that on behalf of the Rozoolliim, that they have access to treasures and relics bearing resemblance to their race, as well as a certain amulet found previously.
(Mazooll chirps contentedly at his mention of the amulet)

The creature thinks for a moment, making sure she's not being swindled.
"Matron find this...acceptable. But thing in creature room belong to Galeplume!"

She seems rather happy that a mutually satisfactory conclusion was made.

Any other questions for the Matron before you head out?

>A). Ask the Matron something. (Write-In)
>B). No questions. And who knows how the Rozoolliim are getting without Mazooll to hold them in line.

>>26460949
Ask-ask what strange person-thing is. That is all.

>>26460949
>A

Ask what the creatures abilities are and how dangerous it is

Ask how they found this place where they came from and how long they have been here.

Ask what they eat.

Make small talk.

Initiate plan sigma alpha 7

>>26460949
B. there will be time to talk later, right now it's time to cross that creature off our (and the Galeplume's) shit list.

Also, see if we can't steal a feather. Genes are genes, and last I checked, we collect those. Like baseball cards.

Rolled 68

>>26461071
>This.
Also ask about their current numbers and fighting capability.

>>26460949

Figuring that this is good time to take advantage of the good diplomacy between races, Mazooll has the Harbinger ask some questions about their people:

>Who are you?
"We are Galeplume Clan. Come from far place. Can't remember where. Was chick when left. Attacked by Man." Her tone starts to bitter, so she leaves it at that.

>How did you find this place?
"...just...found it." She says, almost perplexed at the question. "Search desert, look for new home. No creature here we think. We find big creature but not come down here. Been here long time. Safe from thieves. Sometimes."

>What do you eat?
"Lizard. Bird. Grass when very hungry. Bugs sometimes. Small bugs." She quickly adds. "People when angry." She chirps and whistles. Lacking a response from Mazooll or the Harbinger, she goes on: "This what Man calls 'joke'. No?"

A noise is heard from down the hall. It seems that they're getting restless...perhaps it's a good time to get back to their respective peoples.

>Cont.

>>26461363

The Matron leads Mazooll and her translator out of the private chamber and into the large room. A few of the Rozoolliim are chittering angrily at some of the Galeplume, who are squawking angrily back at them.

Seems like they were having 'disagreements' while the talking happened.

The Matron shrieks a shrill order towards the ceiling and a dozen more Galeplume come fluttering down. She silences the squabbling of her kin and Mazooll does the same for hers.
With all of the group in place, there's room to plan a method of attack.

The Matron describes a large, circular chamber, similar to this one, in which the creature resides. She says the creature has trouble dealing with her kin, due to their quick nature, but they alone haven't been able to kill it. She offers several suggestions for a strategy:

Choose one:
>A). Galeplume air support. They could be a great asset in hurting the creature in places the Rozoolliim might not be able to reach.
>B). Galeplume distraction. Her children could try to draw the creature's attention, allowing the Rozoolliim an easier time getting close to the creature...and it's vital areas. However, the Galeplume won't be able to contribute in combat.
>C). Rozoolliim distraction. The Galeplume might have an easier time hitting any hard-to-reach vital areas, if the creature isn't focusing on them. Like plan B, just reversed.
>D). Suggestion another strategy (Write-In)

>>26461530
Are the warriors we have with us skilled in combat, or are they part of the newer generation. This could play a factor on whether or not we need reinforcements.

>>26461530
>A

Have them provide air support but have them attack from one side while we flank the other. Go for the neck and eyes and try to implement our knowledge of human vitals like the Achilles tendon and arteries to inflict bleeding and cripple the beast.

>>26461616

Yes, the Warriors are sufficiently skilled in combat.

As a refresher, this is your guys' current roster:
Leader: Mazooll (Equipment: Glaive)
9 Warriors, 5 Scavengers, 3 Nomads, 3 Curious Ones, 3 Tunnelers, 9 Workers (1 Critical Condition) and 8 Harbingers

>>26461530
Galeplume distraction.
This thing is used to galeplume, maybe, and might not notice us until we're good and close. Then our superior weapon tech goes to work!

>>26461660
Have Mozoll focus more on commanding the troops and surviving through the attack.

Lets go back and get reinforcement, only 9 warriors? Fuck that, get the whole damn army so we can also claim the artifact as ours as well

>>26461701
>>26461660

Instead lets send a scavenger to go and look at the beast from afar then ask the Galeplume if we could return to our hive for reinforcements to take down the beast if it is necessary.

>>26461856
Send in a curious one as well.

>>26461958
Why not both! Also ask if the galeplume can provide a distraction while we scout.

>>26461530
Have the Galeplums distract the creature while a curious one and a scavenger observe the creature for any weak spots or any other notable details.

>>26462026
Then formulate a plan based on the observations.

>>26462026
Yeah yeah!

>>26461530

Mazooll suggests that if they are willing, the Galeplume could distract the creature while they obvserve the creature for any weak points.

The Matron considers this...
After a moment, she says:
"Galeplume could die. Numbers few, cannot risk many for scout."
She turns her head, whistling to a few of her kin. Three hop up to her side.
"These are most fast. But all I give."

Despite the low number, the Matron seems loathe to part with her kind over a potentially fruitless mission.
Agreeing to utilize them could help ensure safe observation, but will make the Matron unhappy.

Choose one:
>Use the Galeplume
>Thank her, but decline.

>>26462211
>Thank her, but decline.

>>26462211
>Thank her, but decline.
However, if it's fast enough to kill them we're definitely going to need reinforcements. No way we can take it with our few numbers. We should sympathize with her about not wanting to lose our people either, and suggest that we report back to our Good Queen and get reinforcements.

>>26462462
Yeah after we send a scavenger and a curious one to scout from afar.

>>26462500
Agreed!

>>26462211

You thank the Matron for her willingness, but decline. She seems a bit relieved at this, as she tells her kin that they won't be joining the Rozoolliim in their scouting mission.
~
A Curious One and a Scavenger are led towards the chamber that houses the creature (which turned out to be down the hall to the right of the entrance).

The two scouts round the final corner (avoiding a few traps pointed out by one of the Galeplume) and see a large archway, leading into a chamber nearly as large as the menagerie below. Taking up almost half of the room lies the great creature, sleeping near the threshold.

Choose One:
>A). Observe creature.
>B). Move into chamber. (Allows observation of different parts)
>C). Write-In.

All options will require a 1d100 roll.

>>26462823
>A

Lets not get discovered.

Rolled 32

>>26462868
Rollin

Rolled 90

>>26462887
Ok lets see if my luck is any better.

Rolled 74

>>26462823
>B

>>26462823
>>26462939

The two scouts get as close as they can to the creature, while retaining as safe a distance as they dare.
From the front, they notice that the creature is covered in thick sheets of hair, with some of them sticking out rigidly, like spines. It has two horns on it's head, one on the tip of its nose, one on its forehead. Laying down, it's hard to see any of part of its underbelly. There seem to be thinner sheets of thick hair on the sides of its head, presumably where its ears would be located.

Continued observation will require relocation.

>A). Keep observing. Move into the chamber. [Requires Roll]
>B). Report back with your findings.

Rolled 29

>>26463119
>A
May the God-Queen protect us!

Rolled 40

>>26463119
>A
What is the worse that could happen?

Rolled 31

>>26463176
Apparently I need to protect you from your dice!

>>26463281
>>26463256
>>26463176
This is a leson to us caution is best

>>26463301
Eh, I recommend not worrying about it.

>>26463119
>>26463256

The two Insects barely cross the threshold when the creature's face scrunches up. It sniffs a few times and its eyes shoot open. If you could call them eyes. Instead of irises, this creature has two fist-sized gems in its sockets. It immediately turns to the two intruders, bellowing thunderously. The force sends the two Insects tumbling back, the Scavenger through the threshold and down the hall, the other into the chamber wall. The Scavenger recovers in time to see the Curious One get swept up by one of the creature's monstrous claws. A high shriek is heard, then immediately silenced, with faint crunching heard afterward.
Well...at least ONE of them survived...

It reports back to Mazooll and the Matron, with the information it found.
The Matron seems concerned that the creature was stirred from its sleep. She believes that it might be ready for an attack, if it believes intruders are still present.

Choose One:
>A). Return to Greenhome for reinforcements. [This will lower the Galeplumes trust in you]
>B). Start the attack on the creature.
>C). Formulate another plan. (Write-In)

No rolls needed at the moment.

>>26463501
Galeplumes can bite a boot, lets get our army and kill them, big bad monster and then birds later.

>>26463501
What does the Galeplume combat force consist of? Any specialists?

>>26463501
>how long would it take to get a message back to Hive?
>how soon could reinforcements arrives, and do we have fliers yet?

>>26463501
>C Send a group of bugs back to home base and have everyone else focus on defense while we wait for reinforcements.

>>26463561
I would wager flying around and being birds, so pikes, bows and shields to fight them later.

>>26463501
what's our fastest unit? we could send a small group with message to Hive and have the rest focus on defense. if nothing else the others can get there to help heal the wounded

>>26463579
Well i am going to sleep play it safe guys don't just charge in hit the soft parts yadda yadda Night all and remember the creature is on guard right now so be super duper careful. Don't piss off our new friends!

>>26463590
>pikes
>imagining those birds going to swoop only to have pikes raised en masse at the last second

Glorious.

Thr princess should be sent home for safety

>>26463641
We need someone to lead the troops. It would destroy moral if she left.

>>26463561

>Mazooll asks about their combat potential:
The Galeplumes seem to boast themselves on quick and agile aerial combat. Their weapons consist of their talons and the ability to throw sharp feathers stored among the feathers on their wings, much like throwing knives.
They also claim to have a few 'Squallers", magically adept casters, using the wind as their ally.

>>26463569

Reinforcements would take at least a week.
No fliers yet.

>>26463603
Technically Crawlers, which you have none of in the party. Aside from that, Scavengers.

>>26463675
>so send 1 scavenger and maybe a harbinger to relay the upcoming battle so they can either send reinforcements if the battle lasts that long or support for the survivors
the rest do what we can to prepare, run drills so the Roz and birds can fight in tandem and get workers building defenses and traps if we can

>>26463757
Seconded. Let's take a defensive posistion and kill the thing if it comes looking for intruders, but if it doesn't, wait with the Galeplumes and get to know them better while we wait for reinforcements.

Yes, we need to send word home. Especially about heavy hauling duty bugs being needed to take the carcass of the beast home for Big R to feast upon.

Also, teamwork makes the dream work, if youvtake my meaning.

>>26463856
That will not fly. They Gale have already claimed the corpse. This would be seen as a great insult.

>>26463876
they claimed the thing it was guarding IN the room, but i don't believe claim to the corpse was made

>>26463885
No they claimed the thing guarding the room.

>>26463885
Exactly

It's kinda come to my attention that a decision of this magnitude is probably handled when more people are on. I think I'll end the thread on this note and let you guys think about it.
I will, however, take the current votes into account for when the next thread starts.

[End Thread]
Sorry to end it so anti-climatically!

If you enjoyed yourselves, feel free to vote for it at:
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html
So others might want to join in.

If you guys wanna stay informed of schedule changes the Twitter is here:
https://twitter.com/InsCivQuest
and Steam Group is
http://steamcommunity.com/groups/Rozoolliim/
A lot of out-of-thread discussion tends to happen in the Steam Group. Also just random bullshitting. Also tends to be a bit more active than the Twitter.

I plan to pick this up again on Thursday at the same time. If that ever changes, like I said, make sure you're following at least one of those two feeds.

I'll be hanging around for a while yet, so if you guys have questions or anything else, I'm here.
If not, thanks for participating! And I'll (hopefully) see you Thursday night.

File: 1375775709588.jpg-(16 KB, 460x315, my nigga.jpg)

16 KB JPG

>>26460558
>Great creature lives in big room above. Guards great thing.
>>26460949
>But thing in creature room belong to Galeplume!"
I gathered by thing in room they referred to the thing it was guarding that they claimed not the creature itself

>>26464058
Mah bad. I must have misread it. I thought they wanted the body too. Btw don't forget to upvote the tread in the archive, we seem to be lacking in votes.
Also fuck yeah Aku.

>>26464058

Yuh. The object, not the creature. However, they just might want a trophy of some kind. But we'll cross that bridge when we get there, eh?