>>6173747You take a steadying breath and step forward, hands raised in a gesture of peace, your voice calm but resolute. "Hold, mighty one," you say, projecting confidence even as your heart pounds. "We are not here to harm or trespass upon your domain unnecessarily. Perhaps we can find another way to resolve this without bloodshed."
The crocodile demon halts, its massive claws sinking slightly into the soft, marshy ground. Its head swivels toward you, its golden eyes narrowing as it studies you with an unsettling intelligence. For a moment, the only sound is the faint crackle of the campfire and the rhythmic drip of water from the trees.
Finally, it speaks, its voice a guttural rumble that seems to shake the very air. "Stand out of my way, priestess," it growls, each word laced with menace. "I am hungry, and I need to feast on the fools who dared to venture into my swamp. They are mine, and I will not be denied!"
The demon’s maw opens slightly, revealing rows of jagged teeth that could crush a human in an instant. Its towering form leans forward, radiating menace, as if to emphasize its point.
Your men shift uneasily behind you, their grips tightening on their weapons, but none dare move without your command. The tension is thick, the line between diplomacy and violence razor-thin.
You lock eyes with the beast, its words echoing in your mind. A challenge stands before you: to convince it, to divert its hunger, or to stand your ground against this terrifying creature.
What will you do?
> Offer the demon a trade, promising something valuable to sate its hunger. > Attempt to reason with the demon, appealing to its pride or logic. > Refuse to back down, readying yourself to defend the innocent. > Write in. 