>>5657199>>5657205>>5657207>>5657259>>5657274As you examine the captured sea-devil, your stomach growls loudly. You lament how much you'd like to eat the bloody thing - after all, anything was better than going hungry for another night.
You quickly regret that thought though; this creature probably tastes terrible anyway and there's no way of knowing whether or not it is safe to consume. Plus, if word got out that you were eating sentient beings (even monsters from beneath the waves)... well let's just say that the slave infused with Mimic-flesh harem would suddenly seem a mild infraction at worst!
Instead of thinking about food any longer (for now), you try questioning the creature in hopes of gaining some insight into why they attacked your estate and what they want from you.
Unfortunately, there seems to be a language barrier between yourself and this (maybe mute) monster – its eyeless dome of a head reflects nothing but cold indifference towards your attempts at communication. Frustration sets in as none of your questions are met with even a grunt or gesture indicating understanding on their part...
But then an idea hits: writing! It may seem archaic compared to modern methods such as telepathy spells which could bypass traditional languages altogether by communicating directly through thoughts alone… But you have none of those at your disposal. Primitive problems call fro primitive solutions!
With pencil and paper ready at hand (you always keep them nearby while working on alchemical formulas), jot down two questions in Common, using the classic Elven Alphabet of the learned:
"Do you want to live?"
"If I keep you here for 24 hours, will you die?"
You hold the paper up to the sea-devil, hoping it will understand and respond in some way. It looks at you for a moment before slowly nodding its head once, indicating that it understands.
