[RP] Crag's Secrets: Chapter 1 - Arrival

Belladonna is unsure of anything she can do on her side of the bridge. She can tell this is a very large bird and guesses the bird is expecting a snack or offering from Bartholomew. She turns her head slowly and slightly raises a hand to the less active members of the group (NPCs).

"Stay back everyone, we don't want to startle it more."

She will then slowly move to look through their supplies to see if there is a bit of meat or something rotting the bird may like.

"That is an interesting creature." Kimbek quietly offers as he watches the drama unfold from the edge of the precipice.

Belladona looking through her belonging for something edible finds that in her rations - that are so orderly and neatly packed for each day (what immediately recalled her how organized the Jackal Captors were) - there are indeed few stripes of dried, salted meat (probably pork) included in each package. Also she has 3 ginkgo nuts. She realizes that if she would use the meat from rations for the Bird, it will cause her to have it less of it for the future. Besides she wasn't sure if the bird likes such things, but the meat looked tasty.

Bartholomew gazed at the majestic raptor. This was no ordinary bird. It's size alone removed it from the category of ordinary, but the intelligence in its piercing gaze put all doubt to rest. Being near the end of the bridge, Bartholomew slowly—very slowly—knelt down and placed his staff along the bridge lengthwise, so that its other end was already on the ground. He wanted to disarm himself foe now, but not lose access to the staff should it be needed in a hurry. With his foot he edged the staff forward, following until he himself too was on solid ground again.

I know not if you understand speech, noble avian, but perhaps you will understand from my tone of voice if nothing else. We are guests in your domain. here Bartholomew stretched his hands to point back to the remainder of the group, always ensuring his movements were slow and deliberate so as not to frighten or anger the condor. We have been cruelly abducted from our homes and our king, and seek only to return and to restore the rightful monarch or his true heirs.

Bartholomew now opens both hands wide, spreads them to his side, and bows from the waist, keeping eye contact with the condor. May we have leave to traverse your realm, noble one? Moreover, is there any way we may benefit from your knowledge and wisdom?

Bartholomew holds both the bow and the eye contact.

Shallan watches with interest, barely breathing as she waits to see what the Condor's reaction is...

Kimbek attempts to watch the bird's response to this attempt of communication. If it was capable of understanding such speech, then he might be able to appeal to the spirit world for communication with it. Alas, he already felt his tie to his spirit weak and insubstantial. Perhaps after he had rested he might be able to pursue such an action.

The great bird remains motionless as Bartholomew speaks, its unblinking eyes locked on him, watching his every movement. The silence is thick with tension, as though the very air hums with unspoken expectation. When Bartholomew bows, the creature finally moves—but not away. Its massive head tilts slightly to one side, and with a slow, deliberate gesture, it lifts one talon from the bridge and claws at the rope, then lowers its head toward the ground as if searching for something.

The meaning becomes clear—a subtle but unmistakable gesture. It expects something. Its sharp beak clicks together once, the sound cutting through the misty air. The creature does not shift aggressively but remains looming, making it clear that passage is not freely granted.

The condor's wings, half-raised now, ripple slightly in the air, as if signaling that the balance of this encounter has shifted. Its eyes—intelligent, calculating—seem to wait, focusing intently on Bartholomew as though gauging his understanding. The offer of words and deference alone will not suffice. To earn passage, the group must present an offering, one worthy of the creature that guards this ancient, untamed area.

Bartholomew considers the bird’s actions. I see. So you are guardian of the pass and expect your rightful due. We understand. Do I have leave to return to my party to consider what offering would be acceptable to one as majestic as yourself?

Bartholomew spoke loudly, exaggerating both intonation and gesture, so as best to make his meaning clear to the condor AND to the party. Without taking his eyes off the bird, Bartholomew turns his head slightly to the left and calls out: Belladona, discuss with Sadur and see what we have which may appease the guardian of the ravine. I will return if I can.

Belladonna looks to Sadur to see what he recommends as offering for the bird. She slowly raises the sad piece of jerky she found.

"I'm guessing this won't be enough of an offering, am I right Mr. Sadur?"

She digs out of her pack one of the ginkgo nuts.

"Maybe this is a suitable seed for it?"

As Bartholomew takes a tentative step back - not loosing the eye contact with the Gatekeeper - the condor makes a loud hiss, clearly not satisfied with turns of events. For a moment Bartholomew feels the tension in its muscles and body posture as it would be preparing for a sudden jump, but then it checks monk's hands again and Brother Bartholomew have an impression that the big bird makes almost unnoticeable nods with it's head, as it would think: "Empty. Forgiven. For now. Return. Or..." - the threat in the bird eyes was deeper, than words are able to describe.

It's an animal, not a checktaker. We can either scare or distract the predator. Sadur look at the Bartholomew and the shaky bride Scare is not an option. Dried meet may not distract it long enough. Kimbek, Shallan could we quickly makeshift a flying toy? Sadur runs into the jungle and brings a large leaf and some branches.

Bartholomew, backing away from the bird, knelt down to start reaching for his staff, but after an apparent rebuke by the mighty condor, realized that it would be more prudent to leave it in the bridge, for now. His fists were just as capable if necessary, although with shorter reach. He returned to the group to discuss options, just in time to hear Sadur.

Why a flying device? We don’t have enough rotting meat? Did we leave any corpses behind? Carrion raptors usually appreciate rotting meat. Also, Birds are often attracted to shiny objects, but I am extremely loathe to give up the mirror we found. Perhaps the symbol would appease it? Lastly, we must consider the possibility of combat.