An Initial Task (Scene 0)

As a matter of instinct, Triasen illuminates her club again, while Elzian and Águila each illuminate stones to greatly improve the ability to see. Time is taken to examining the area and each person compares and discusses the findings. In the end, it is concluded that it was not rats that had been the thieves, even though there are some carcasses. A tiny trail that could only have been left by the repeated passing of insects is running along the ground at the side of the cave and continues around the edge of the butte on its eastern side. Once recognized, it seems a fairly easy task to follow it.

Shaethon takes the lead, keeping his eyes mostly focused on the tiny trail which is rather difficult to see. He is followed closely by Triasen, who continues to carry her club at the ready. The party moves back out of the storage cave and around the Eastern side of the Butte. Several randomly dropped pieces of grain and a few bits of tubers are discovered, indicating that the tiny trail was definitely made by the food thieves. As characters tend to be more astute than the general populace, it is reinforced that the thieves should not be rodents, as rats would retrieve dropped pieces of food. Insects will get confused and return to the source or their destination.

With Shaethon fixated on the path, the other investigators scan the surrounding area as they proceed, for the Badlands can be dangerous at all times, except possibly midday, when the heat provokes everything to look for shade and take rest. Ironically, even though the party departed early, after succumbing to the scorpion toxin, waking was about midday. No one senses any omens on the wind or sees signs of bad portent, but it is this wariness that allows the investigators to recognize the domain that they are approaching before stumbling directly upon it.

At almost half the distance around the Butte and opposite of the storage cave is an artificially constructed gravel mound, set only a few strides distance from the natural rise of stone. The tiny path leads to that mound. Staring at the mound for about a minute reveals an ant exiting from a hole and another returning from a different direction. Desert ants use acquired vegetable material to grow phosphorescent fungus in dug tunnels beneath their hill, consuming the fungus for food and vital moisture.

Eagle says, "Hmmm... if we were to destroy the mound, the worker ants would eventually emerge to rebuild it. When they do, we could simply use heat to kill them all. Then, with all the workers dead, it would be easy to dig up the rest of the mound (the underground part), find the queen, and kill her. What do the rest of you think about such a plan?"

Eagle waits in silence several moments, before responding again, "I have heard legends of people in the ancient days who could speak with animals and insects, and even get them to obey orders. But if such a talent exists today, it is beyond my power. My grandfather used to tell everyone who would listen that he could speak with the birds of the sky, but I never actually saw him do it. And I think most of the other tribesmen didn't believe him. I wish we had such a talent among us; even if we couldn't force the ants to obey, if we could just speak to them, maybe they'd be willing to cooperate with us. There might not be a need to kill them."

Eagle nods in agreement as he begins to gather handfuls of dry grass from the surrounding area.