Our return to the forest held… mixed results, for me at least. There were many interesting bits, as this land is full of different flora and fauna than I’m used to.

We came upon traps, set as it turns out by two of the Zuk. They’re clever, tripwires and spiked pits to catch prey – not something an animal could come up with. Which makes the fact that I killed one harder to bear. I didn’t mean to, exactly. I did throw a knife at one, and hit it, and it fell. And died. And yes, we were fighting them, but I don’t know if we needed to. Bartek, the ranger? I believe that’s correct. Is either short-sighted, or just prefers fighting to talking. When I told everyone that the Zuk were watching us, and planning on getting reinforcements, he attacked. So at that point, it did become more about our survival. But maybe we could have worked it out peacefully? Maybe the traps were just defenses (we were in their territory, after all), or ways to catch food? They aren’t the largest of creatures, and very odd. Instead of feet, it’s like they have four hands. And their snouts have tentacles. Maybe their appearance was part of why Bartek was quick to fight them too.

That I was able to understand them was something of a small miracle. I cast a spell, and it worked! Worked beautifully. That’s how I knew what they were saying. I couldn’t speak to them, well unless they understood Common tongue and if they did they didn’t let on, but the spell was useful nonetheless. And lasted so long! After the encounter with the Zuk (the other got away, which doesn’t bode well for how we’ll be seen by them in the future, I’m sure) we met up again with the spider-kin. The same one we encountered before! And this time I could understand them, though they couldn’t understand me. But we were able to at least work out a greeting, and they led us back to the circle Pipi was interested in. It was late enough at that point that Bartek finished his map of the area and we returned here, to town. We’ll go back again tomorrow. I hope we don’t get into any more possibly unnecessary fights.

I hope I can cast another spell. And find a better way to communicate with the spider-kin. They’re so fascinating, even if they do seem a bit grumpy.

• This topic was modified 3 years, 4 months ago by dume.