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The ratfolk explain that it is due to their religion; according to them, once someone breathes their last breath their soul goes with the exhale, joining the god of the four winds. The body, as a vessel, is now pointless and garbage, so they dispose of it. They also throw all of their trash in the river and use it as their primary toilet; that's what it's there for, isn't it?
When you explain that this behavior has led to your people getting sick, they are not exactly mortified, but they don't seem to be able to conceptualize the idea of getting sick from the corpses. You attempt to explain it to them but they seem unable, or perhaps unwilling, to connect the dots. However, when you explain that violence is on the table as far as you are concerned, they quickly change their minds. They are cowardly and seek no quarrel.
You offer to teach them about cremation, but evidently that offends them deeply; a burnt body pollutes the winds of their god. A compromise is reached, however, and they promise to instead bury their dead and stop defecating in the river.
The barbarian, having heard tales of your snake, wishes to see it for himself. He promises not to kill it; after all, it is capable of speech, and he would hear what it has to say for itself. He travels with your contingent back to the north. There, he meets with your Regina of whom he has heard due to her brokering the peace between your peoples. Upon meeting her, it is clear that he is smitten. She, however, will not fall so easily for a man, even one as impressive as he, and he must in the tradition of your people complete a trial. Afraid of no such thing, he accepts.
Firstly, however, he meets the serpent. Your people worry that it will result in violence, but instead the two have a long conversation that turns surprisingly philosophical. The serpent breaks down why he is continually unsatisfied with his accomplishments, eventually allowing the man to reach a breakthrough that his strive to slay bigger and badder creatures is a result of his father never loving him and the desire for him to conquer the metaphorical father within his mind. The serpent and the man become incredible friends and he thanks the serpent for his wisdom and allowing him to grow as a person.
>What manner of task shall the barbarian hero attempt to perform? As a heroic unit, he is capable of going on a quest or undertaking some manner of trial, perhaps one of exploration or the slaying of a great beast. You may dictate the form which it takes.
