For a long while, as Kagura acted and Marko noted himself, Rinzen stood motionless, pondering, taking in the image. That was where the smell came from, obviously... a sea dragon, scent of sea, maybe it wasn't so peculiarly illusion-based after all. Either way, there was a threat within the mountain region they were sent to investigate, and this creature or illusion was attempting to force them to abandon the mission. Kagura was the diplomat, and fittingly so, but he was sent as well. And he did come.
Stepping forward slowly and patiently, Rinzen interrupted it at the last syllable of it's threat.
"-it is not our intent or wish that anything in this place should be angered, and indeed we come to make assurance of peace. Whatever your works are, you may return to them," the mocking tone of allowance was fully intended, as he proceeded, breaking only to mutter something inaudible to all but Kagura in passing,
"... and thus leave us to our own work.
"Do so now, or we will be angered. We, spirit of many, are like all physical phenomenon; we appear and go as we will. And by that will, we may burn this fog away, slay your sustaining forms, and lay waste to resistance placed against us. If you are trying to protect this place, you are our ally, and thus do we urge you to include us in your works, as our goals are the same.
"If you are an enemy of this place..... well, then this talk is through. Leave, or we will kill you. Now, choose from those choices we have granted you." He stopped about three feet from the head of the mist-form being, hand on his sword-hilt and Ushitora smiling a psychic smile of combat felt coming. Though he was barely proficient at sensing them yet, Rinzen tried to suppress any murderous intent he or his sword might be leaking; breathing deeply as he spoke his words, he prayed that his lessons with the Master would help him here, a place just as he was looking for. But Ushitora only laughed and pushed out some will, and Rinzen's aura, of mixed good and evil, both adamant and serious of their claim to intent, was laid out among all those in a near area to him. All the same, he relied on his serious, unflinching demeanor to assist him; he had no way of knowing if he could even strike the form, much less lay waste to it. But he did not flinch, never let up, stared it down, and if nothing else, he could flash-strike it.
Had to get the ball moving on this damn job.
*muttered to Kagura in passing:
[spoiler]
"I'm sorry Miss Yayoi, I should have more clearly informed you, but I was not sent here as a diplomat. Honestly, all apologies."[/spoiler]
Skills used in this post:
[spoiler]
Sense Motive for hostile/murderous intent: 12
Knowledge Cosmology (to try and identify the spirit, or lack thereof): 19
Intimidate: 9
Diplomacy ( ): 4
Bluff (Help me baby jesus!): 28So, screwed my diplomacy and intimidate, but hopefully it believes my conviction, and maybe I can identify it.
Used Fearsome Presence, anyone within 25 feet may be shaken (DC 15), escalates by failure.[/spoiler]