[Hourglass of Zihaja D&D 4e] Heroes on a Sea of Swords IC

[Shadow_Elf]

Prisoner
The man grimaces again, shaking his head. Even bugs and beasts may possess a soul. But a thing of wood and metal? For it to possess one... it must be stolen... As for how we find you... The Drums of War sails where Lord War wills... I know not the captain's mind, for it is unknowable...

[Grey_Wolf_c]

Prisoner
The man grimaces again, shaking his head. Even bugs and beasts may possess a soul. But a thing of wood and metal? For it to possess one... it must be stolen... As for how we find you... The Drums of War sails where Lord War wills... I know not the captain's mind, for it is unknowable...

Amirah, Living Swarm

"You poor, poor misguided drone!pirate. You don't understand," Amirah's voice is actually compassionate, as if talking to a simple boy whose mind is closed, "We have a soul, and a myriad souls. We are made up of a thousand insects, each one as unique as you. Not a single one of those souls was alive when We were born, and all will be dead and gone before the year's out, for they are short-lived. But Our soul lives on, even as the members of the swarm die and are born. The soul of the Swarm is separate and different from the souls of the swarm members."

"You wasted you life, little manling, trying to destroy souls you cannot begin to understand. But your time is at an end. Best Friend!Medinah, I am done talking to it. Teaching a dead creature is a waste of time, and the whispers are coming back. I need to concentrate."

Indeed, her last few words are becoming blurred once more, as the swarm shifts its attention to overcoming the opposite voice in the caves.

[Dacia Brabant]

Medinah

The warforged nodded at her friend, impressed at Amirah's strength of will and self-understanding. She truly is a fascinating creature, she thought.

Wordlessly, she turned to the prisoner and, this time without pause, brought her sword down upon his throat.

[Grey_Wolf_c]

Medinah

The warforged nodded at her friend, impressed at Amirah's strength of will and self-understanding. She truly is a fascinating creature, she thought.

Wordlessly, she turned to the prisoner and, this time without pause, brought her sword down upon his throat.

As Medinah strikes, the long centipede bites deep into the neck of the prisoner, injecting it with a poison that immediately deadens all feeling in the area. Medinah's sword cuts through the neck, but the man feels it not.

The centipede quickly slithers back under Amirah's robes, rejoining the swarm.

[Dekkah]

Alvah Nasab, Voice of Thunder
Once someone mention about the scorpion, Alvah give a hand to Rahman in his treatment. Knowing that the man will still die, but not wanting to add up to the man pain needlessly, he let the others ask their questions, having none after they do.

As they kill the man off, he only nod.
"We should get ready to meet up with that Lord of war. Does anyone have any information on him?", ask the bard, looking into his own memories about him.

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If I already made that roll before dont remember), let it be.

History on Lord of War and Drums of War :(1D20+17)[23]


I finally caught up with you guys... Had a lot on my plate today.

[Dekkah]

DM
Not knowing much more than before on the enemies, and seeing that his allies doesnt either, the Half-Marid shrug and say,
"I guess we'll know more when we meet him. Let's just be careful then."
Once his alies are ready to move, Alvah start to inspect the layout of the place and does his best to guide his allies toward what he expect will be the place of the fallen mages.

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I'll go with Dungeoneering... (1D20+14)[21] vs DC 20

[Chambers]

Jalil

Jalil nods to Alvah and wraps herself in swift winds that carry her above the dirt floor of the cavern. She hovers near the passageway and peers down it. "I'm quite ready to quit this chamber, Alvah. Please, lead on."

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Using and sustaining her Wind Rider power again to stay aloft and grant a success for Athletics.

Endurance (1d20+18)[25]

Statblock

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Jalil Farun, Sabi Elementalist
HP 101 Temps 0 Bloodied 50 Surge Value 25 Surges 10/10
AC 25 Fort 26 Ref 25 Will 30
Action Points 1

Initiative +7
Passive Insight 17
Passive Perception 19

Elemental Bolt, Static Charge, Storm Walk

Elemental Escalation [ ][ ][ ][ ], Essence of Arcane Blood, Wind Fury Assault, Essence Form, Windwalker, Sorcerous Sirocco, Wind Rider, Fog Form

Howling Tempest, Thunder Leap, Howling Hurricane, Lightning Daggers

Race/Theme/Class/Paragon Path Features

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Windsoul: You gain resist 5 cold and the windwalker power. At 11th level, the resistance improves to 10 cold. At 21st level, the resistance improves to 15 cold.

(1st level): Your origin becomes elemental. For the purpose of effects that relate to creature origin, you are considered to be an elemental. Add Primordial to the languages you can read, write, and speak. You gain a +2 power bonus to Athletics checks and Perception checks. You also gain the wind fury assault power.
(5th level): Whenever an effect enables you to fly, you can fly 1 additional square. Further, whenever you use your second wind, you can push each creature adjacent to you 1 square.
(10th level): Whenever you hit with wind fury assault, you slide the target up to a number of squares equal to your highest ability modifier.

Elemental Power: You gain a bonus to the damage rolls of arcane powers equal to your Constitution modifier. This bonus increases to 2 + your Constitution modifier at 5th level, 5 + your Constitution modifier at 15th level, and 8 + your Constitution modifier at 25th level.
Elemental Resilience: While you are not wearing heavy armor, you can use your Constitution modifier in place of your Dexterity or Intelligence modifier to determine your AC.
Elemental Versatility: At 9th level and 19th level, you gain a sorcerer at-will attack power of your choice.

Enhanced Elemental Bolt: Your elemental bolt deals lightning damage. On a hit, its target gains vulnerable 3 to your elemental attacks until the end of your next turn.
Elemental Soul: At 5th level, you gain resist 10 lightning. At 15th level, you gain a +2 bonus to saving throws against ongoing lightning damage. At 25th level, choose either cold or thunder. You gain resist 10 to the chosen damage type and a +2 bonus to saving throws against ongoing damage of that type.*
Fly: At 23rd level, you can fly up to half your speed as a move action.

Energy Essence (11th level): If you hit with an arcane attack power that deals more than one type of damage, you deal 1d6 extra damage.
Essential Action (11th level): When you spend an action point to take an extra action, you gain a +4 bonus to attack rolls with arcane powers until the start of your next turn.

[Dacia Brabant]

Medinah

After cleaning her blade and helping to put away the "loot," Medinah turns her attention to examining the magical signatures left behind in this place, hoping to trace the correct pathway to their goal.

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Since Jalil has Athletics covered, I'll go for Arcana: (1d20+18)[30]

Endurance: (1d20+14)[18]

[Reverent-One]

Kihtsah Darimil, Dervish of Adimas

Blades out, Kihtsah takes the lead, as Amirah seems distracted and less able to focus. His sharp eyes watching for dangers, both ambushes and obstacles.

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Perception-(1d20+18)[28]
Endurance-(1d20+14)[21]

[Grey_Wolf_c]

Amirah, Living Swarm

Amirah distractedly follows the group, trying not to fall behind as Their mind keeps getting assaulted. They try to turn tables on the attacker, sending out Their own scouts, carrying similar peremptory commands. The battle of minds wages silently, and first dozens, then scores of insects in the caves start to die all around.

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Attack Whispers - (1d20+20)[23]
Endurance - (1d20+17)[20]

[Shadow_Elf]

Illudai Cave Network
The Hunters gather what they can scavenge from the fallen pirates and stash the spoils in their extradimensional spaces. As they depart the cavern, they assume their various spelunking roles once again. With Amirah engaged in her brutal but silent war with the insect voices of the cavern, Kihtsah takes on her duties looking for natural hazards and traps. Meanwhile, Jalil has an epiphany of sorts and swaps jobs with Medinah; using her airborne powers, she has a more reliable time running lines and such for her crewmates, and Medinah uses her ancient programming to home in on the magical signature the group believes represents the petrified magi. She notices somewhat disturbingly that one of the other nearby magical signatures is nearing their destination, while the other that was causing feedback when Kihtsah and Jalil were questing earlier seems to have dissipated into ambient magical interference. Rahman uses his knowledge of Admajai protocols and traditions to help the team stay on the trail of the long-dead magi, while Alvah uses his spelunking knowledge to lead the group away from the more recently made cavern, and down the ancient paths that existed in the time of their quarry.

The group soon emerges in a large open cavern, roughly semispherical in shape. Amirah's war with the native insects of the cave has tired her, and Kihtsah and Medinah, whose wounds were great in their previous encounters, also begin to tire. The group takes a moment's rest in the large cavern, keeping their eyes on the entrances. With no native insects apparent, Amirah ceases her struggle and the swarm returns to rest near Figment.

What happens next takes the resting heroes by surprise. From both the avenue they used to enter the chamber, and the tunnel leading out, a deluge-like wave of seemingly endless insects swarms into the room, effectively blocking out both exits with their sheer mass. As the swarm of insects establishes a perimeter around the Hunters, they prepare blades and incantations to do battle. The circle stops, though, giving the Hunters a solid circle of roughly twenty-foot radius. One lone insect, much larger than the others, advances into the perfect circle from its teeming and buzzing perimeter. It is an ugly creature, with traits of both arachnids, hive insects and independent insects. A hazy visual begins to assemble in front of the insect, eventually coalescing into the form of an aging human man.

Return my drone!daughter to me, and you shall proceed unaccosted. says the man, though his mouth does not move as he does so.

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Crunch: Amirah, Kihtsah and Medinah lose 1 Healing Surge each for failing the Endurance Check for this part of the challenge. However, your individuals skills, on balance, go well; a success is earned in the skill challenge.

I hope one of you is packing the level 1 Ritual Comrade's Succor, because y'all are in serious need of some surge redistribution.

Player Status

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Amirah (A): 111/112 HP,
Alvah (N): 99/102 HP,
Jalil (J): 101/101 HP,
Medinah (M): 104/105 HP,
Rahman (R): 113/113 HP,
Kihtsah (K): 85/111 HP,

Figment (F): 56/56 HP,

Healing Surges:

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Amirah: 7/12
Alvah: 7/11
Jalil: 10/10
Medinah: 8/13
Rahman: 14/18
Kihtsah: 2/8

[Reverent-One]

Kihtsah Darimil, Dervish of Adimas

Kihtsah gives a grunt of frunstration. "Does the entire continent know we're here? Who has the loose lips?"

[Grey_Wolf_c]

Amirah, Living Swarm

As the ghostly image takes form, Amirah instinctively seeks refuge behind Medinah. Barely peeking over her friend's shoulder, she projects to all her allies, "It is him! Our Creator! He can track Us! But We thought he meant to take over Our swarm! What is he!?"

The panic in the thoughts she radiates is quickly increasing. The words are increasingly tinged with a deeper fear, and the images grow more disturbing as she projects images of fire, pain and fleeing.

[Shadow_Elf]

Abdullah
Your secrets are safe, wasp!pirate killer. This lost little avatar bears my magical signature!pheremones. The open oceans that you sail conceal her, but on land, the little one cannot stray far. Return the avatar to the swarm, and you shall not be harmed.

[Dacia Brabant]

Medinah

Medinah stretched out her free arm around Amriah in a protective gesture while with her swordarm she leveled the point of her blade toward her friend's "father."

"This 'avatar' as you name her is under my protection, magus. Leave this location and disturb her no further, or join us in battle against our enemy who considers soul transference to be 'abomination.' Failure to comply will result in your destruction."

[Dekkah]

Alvah Nasab, Voice of Thunder
The bard look in amazement at the swarm. Seeing Amirah's discomfort, and Medinah protective attitude, the bard step forward a little saying, using his bard wiles to prevent battle and learn more about the strange creature,
"Peace friends, no need to get violent here. Why does Amirah, the one you call avatar, needs to return to you? Dont you have enough in your swarm already?"
The bard tone keep calm and as charming as possible, even thought he is unsure if he really will have any effects on such a creature.

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I'll use Word of friendship and try to calm the creature so we learn more and possibly find a way out of this peacefully (I doubt it is possible though from Amirah's own previous statements lol)

Diplomacy (+5 - Word of friendship): (1D20+22)[24]

[Grey_Wolf_c]

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(I doubt it is possible though from Amirah's own previous statements lol)

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Amirah wasn't talking to him - she only projected her thoughts to her allies. An advantage of being telepathic is that she can choose who hears her words, and she's too scared to speak to Abdullah directly right now.

[Shadow_Elf]

Abdullah
The sorcerer smiles. What stands before you, Warforged, is merely another avatar of Us. You could destroy it, but the swam is infinite. We cannot be killed. The one that hunts you is known to Us, but of no consequence. He then turns to face Alvah. Well spoken, Son of Marid, but you misunderstand. We are not interested in the insects that the drone!daughter has taken. They are irrelevant, just as the sea of insects that surround you is irrelevant. I require the return of the avatar itself. There is a shift in the swarm, and the Hunters tense. But the magus vanishes, only to reappear behind them, where he can look directly at Amirah's swarm. We are immortal, little avatar. Return to the swarm, and embrace eternity! Your hive!ship and friends will be spared. We are not angry for your flight. We wish only to return you home. He extends his hand towards Amirah.

[Chambers]

Jalil

Initally taken back by the unnatural behavior of the insects Jalil is quick to grasp the situation. She is some sort of run away from...whatever this intelligence is. Jalil frowns at Medinahs posturing. That thing has no tact. She lowers her crackling dagger slightly and clears her throat.

"I won't pretend to completely understand what's going on, but it seems at least clear that you desire the avatars safe return. Perhaps you think you could overwhelm her and us and steal her away once you've defeated her current hive, but that might not be wise. Judging from your words it seems you lack true bodies and instead form hives of insects to serve as such. Has any member of your species been separated from the group collective as long as Amirah? She might have become bonded to her current hive more strongly than usual, being so divorced from the group. If you destroy her current hive might her consciousness be destroyed as well? Is that a risk you can afford to take?"

"This leads me to believe that though you apparently share some group consciousness you also have individual souls. Her lack of knowledge of certain things as well as your referring to her individually indicates this. Taking it further, if you have a group consciousness you also share parts of your memories with each other, thereby making the whole stronger. Imagine what you would learn by reintegrating Amirah back into your group; she's had experiences that I guess aren't typical for your kind. Her thoughts and memories would be a kind of treasure, new knowledge." Jalil says and takes a step forward. "Now imagine how much more you could gain by letting her remain free for some time longer. Perhaps a deal could be arranged where Amirah returns to your group for periodic mergings; it needn't be absolute freedom nor absolute joining."

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Diplomacy (1d20+20)[37]

[Shadow_Elf]

Abdullah
You too misunderstand, Djinnblood, but your idea is a novel notion. We were once a mortal sorcerer. The avatar you call Amirah was to be our vessel, immortality through the swarm. The drone!daughter developed consciousness unexpectedly, escaped. Twice more We tried, and twice more, the swarms became independent. Methodologies were... modified. The swarm now serves as Our immortal vessel. The other two failed avatars were recovered. Soon, the third shall be integrated into Our being. The image of the sorcerer seems to pause, as if musing. However, as stated, your idea has some merit, despite your incorrect assumptions. Curious. I did not expect another mortal to exhibit such... perspective. Perhaps, full reintegration is unnecessary. Autonomous avatar could have... uses. The insects pull back from the Hunters, providing slightly more breathing room. The large insect retreats into the swarm, and the image of Abdullah dissipates.

A few moments later, the creature reemerges, and the image reappears. We have developed an acceptable compromise. The one you name Amirah shall maintain autonomy, as requested. However, she must swear fealty to Us. Her swarm shall be... upgraded... with Our crowning innovation. This will also allow Us to monitor her, deliver orders and ensure loyalty is maintained. This is the only compromise that will be accepted. The man looks to Amirah. The wise sorceress has offered you a way out, lost little avatar. We suggest you take it.

[Chambers]

Jalil

Jalil bows to the image and the corner of her mouth raises a bit in a smile. "Well...as I said, some of that was conjecture. It is difficult to properly negotiate without a complete picture, but I've found full disclosure isn't always needed as long as both sides are willing to cooperate." She says and looks towards Amirah, awaiting her response to the proposed deal. This should buy me some insurance with the Captain when the machine reports about the torture.

Jalil turns back towards the sorcerer. "I've thought of some things that I'd like to discuss with you further, but its business that isn't related to the current situation. I take it you can take form anywhere on land? When we return to port would you be willing to reform and continue our conversation? I think you'll find my proposal both intriguing and beneficial."

[Dekkah]

DM
As Jalil get the upper hand in the discussion, the bard step back and let her deal with the creature, which she seem to understand better than himself. The half-marid signal Amirah that he want to communication.
"Jalil seem to have some decent grasp on the way to deal with this creature, relay him this : The creature did mention sensing the pirates that are after us, maybe he can tell us where they are so we can ambush them, rather than being the traped ones."

[Grey_Wolf_c]

Amirah, Living Swarm

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Check for lies in Abdullah's words:
Active Insight - (1d20+21)[24]
Passive: 31

Amirah repositions herself in the middle of the group, so that she is as hidden as possible from Abdullah's sight. Still not sending her thoughts to Abdullah, she sends Alvah's message forward, then sends a thought of her own "What does It mean by loyalty? We already have a Queen!Captain. It is also no insect I have ever seen. It is male,and unnatural. Male!" There is utter, complete revulsion associated to this word. "Jalil, would you give your loyalty to It?"

[Shadow_Elf]

Abdullah
The sorcerer smiles. We can only speak through our avatars. We will dispatch components of the swarm to the coast to complete your request, Djinnblood, for it intrigues Us. The image looks at the spot where Amirah is hiding. We are patient, little lost avatar, but not infinitely so. Will you accept Our generous decision, drone!daughter?

Amirah:

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You sense that becoming a living swarm like you has changed Abdullah's personality quite dramatically. Much of the anger and impatience he exhibited as a human has given way to a calm, methodical demeanor. You think his offer is genuine; he will not destroy Amirah's consciousness, but you can't be certain what degree of control he'd be able to exert over you with the modification he proposes.

One thing is certain: With his newfound patience and perspective, and the growth in power the swarm has given him, Abdullah's ambitions can only have grown. You do not think he will be content with simple immortality forever. He has some plan in motion, and whatever it is, he believes you can be of use to him in its execution.

In somewhat hamfisted alignment terms, he was once Chaotic Evil or Neutral Evil, and now he's more of a Lawful Evil. Still a bad guy, but not the sort to rampage angrily through a village burning and freezing as he goes in pursuit of an escaped experiment.

[Grey_Wolf_c]

Don't have time for a full IC post.

Jalil thought to Amirah: You need to grow up and understand that the majority of creatures have both males and females. It is the natural way of the world. If I were in your position I would pledge an oath as long as it does not conflict with your oath to the Captain. He seems to genuinely care about you and regardless of that he has power over you. These are good terms; you still retain some freedom while also gaining a potential ally.

Amirah, Living Swarm

Amirah lashes a thought back at Jalil "You are ignorant. Male insects exist, but serve the Swarm. The Swarm cannot be ruled by a Male. A Queen brings life to the swarm. She is Our mother, Our sister, Our Queen. She lives for the Swarm, She dies for the Swarm. What if the Creator ordered us to kill Our Queen? It says It will be enforcing Its commands. Would you pluck out your heart if your King told you to? What assurance would I have that once It is in control It won't give such command to the Swarm. You know nothing of what you speak."

Amirah's thoughts grow increasingly angry. In the end, there is a feeling of breaking, although what this means she does not explain - it is entirely possible she herself is not aware of it.

There is a shudder, as patterns reorganise to form new thoughts under the heavy desert robes. The change must be large to be so obviously visible. Amirah's thoughts are calm as she speaks to her allies, "The Creator has changed from my earliest recollections. It is cold!methodical where before he was hot!impatient. But other things have not changed. It still desires dominion. It is immortal, and ambitious. We do not like It. Big Sister!Medinah, what do you think?"

Then, fearful of repercussions of stalling too long, she finally speaks to Abdullah. Fearful of letting him into their thoughts, she forgoes telepathy and instead, the buzz of the swarm forms sharp, ugly sounds that are still recognisable as language, "We are conssidering your propossal, Creator. But thiss iss no ssmall thing you require of Uss. We need a few minutess to let the Sswarm decide. And We value the input of Our Individual companionss."

[Shadow_Elf]

Abdullah
The man gives a somewhat uncharacteristic fatherly nod. Understandable. Know, however, that Our alternative option for dealing with you is altogether less... pleasant. Consider your choice carefully, drone!daughter.

[Dacia Brabant]

Medinah

Medinah kept up her guard throughout the exchange. She couldn't deny that she was curious as to what could be learned, both of Amirah and her creator, from this proposed deal, but she had her misgivings that would have to be addressed if they went forward with it. She communicated her thoughts to Amirah in their telepathic link.

It is a rational proposal, Amirah, but from my perspective I am accustomed to service. As a Hunter aboard The Midnight Mirage, you are at liberty to remain or to depart at your option or at the Captain's. I do not know her mind, but I estimate a high probability she would prefer for you to continue functioning, even if it will require further investigation of your creator and his enchantments: should you wish to proceed with his offer, I strongly recommend the contract be written completely with all aspects of it defined--and I insist it include language prohibiting any action, direct or indirect, against the Captain or her interests.

It is for you to decide, however, and please understand that I will protect you for as long as I continue functioning.

[Dekkah]

Alvah Nasab, Voice of thunder
Alvah can see and understand Amirah feelings. The creature seem to be implying that he will absord her into his being, making it sound as if she will loose her freedom if not her own individuality.
He ask her telepaticly,
"Did you knew about the other two avatar the sprouted from him, and more importantly, do you know what happened to them when he "Integrated" them into his being? Can you sense them or try to communicate with them if they are still there? They might give you some insight on all this."

[Grey_Wolf_c]

Alvah Nasab, Voice of thunder
"Did you knew about the other two avatar the sprouted from him, and more importantly, do you know what happened to them when he "Integrated" them into his being? Can you sense them or try to communicate with them if they are still there? They might give you some insight on all this."

Amirah, Living Swarm

"No, We had not heard of Them before today. We don't integrate lesser swarms into Us, because the old swarm disappears. There cannot be two Queens" There is a shudder here, and Alvah can feel the same kind of revulsion he'd feel if someone suggested he performed deviant acts on his grandmother. "We respect other Queens, so We only take their workers, their defenders, their drones. Not the Queen. Not the whole swarm. Not so many the other Queen would suffer. We prefer non-swarm insects. They are happy to join Us. There is safety in the swarm. If We need swarm insects, Our Queen provides."

"Communicating with a part of the swarm... We don't know it can be done. We are not naturally telepathic. We can only talk through magic. It wouldn't allow them to talk."

Still, the suggestion has merit. Amirah concentrates on the massive swarm around them, looking for divisions, signs of multiple personalities in the patterns of insect dances.

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This is either Nature or Insight (or both?), I'm guessing
Passives:
Nature: 28
Insight: 31

Actives:
Nature - (1d20+18)[34]
Insight - (1d20+21)[32]

Amirah sends a new thought to the team "But even if We can trust It to not destroy Us... what if It wants the Admajai spell? Or a Moon from now, wants something Queen!Captain wants too? What if It can enforce Its orders, and It forces Us to attack Big Sister!Medinah?"

[Dekkah]

ALvah Nasab, Voice of Thunder
The bard keep a impassive facade, mostly for the swarm surrounding them and reply telepathicly,
"That is a good point. If he can enforce his will on you after this pact, it would be a problem.

You can count on me to help you whatever you decide. The question is can we take him on or not? What do you know about him? Since he seem to have the same physical origin or constitution as you, what can you tell us of your....race?... strenght and weaknesses?"