Brickdoctor Posted October 3, 2011 Author Posted October 3, 2011 "What would this contract include?" "Your allegiance to the Brobric Elves for the duration of the conflict between the Brobric Elves and the Lion Knights."And certain death to you if you ally yourselves with or otherwise assist any other faction involved, of course."
Tanma Posted October 3, 2011 Posted October 3, 2011 De'kra wondered if Tomas would have a response. The shade hoped that the cleric wouldn't lie, as that could doom them all. But at the same time he couldn't reveal who they were working for. But the elves knew that the group was hired to stop the Lion Knights, which would undoubtively lead to a paradox. Was it a test to prove character? Or was De'kra overthinking this?
Brickdoctor Posted October 4, 2011 Author Posted October 4, 2011 I use Diplomacy to calm the situation. You try to use Diplomacy to calm everyone down, but, in fact, no one is really agitated. Yet. Due to the calming effect of your Diplomacy, Thormanil Nihai (swils) falls asleep.
Darkdragon Posted October 4, 2011 Posted October 4, 2011 "And certain death to you if you ally yourselves with or otherwise assist any other faction involved, of course." "Are you saying that if we sign a contract with you, we are not allowed to work for or with any other group, friend or foe? Are you implying that everyone who is not with you is against you?"
swils Posted October 4, 2011 Posted October 4, 2011 snnnnooooorrrreeeee Nnngghh.. Not the... bakery... don't... ssnnoooorrreee Nooo don't... let them... Zzzzz zzz unnhhh... NO THE... CAKES..!..! snnnoooo-- Thormanil snaps back awake Huh?! Wha-?! Uhh... Right.. lions, and elves, and bears... Oh my, I seem to have dozed off. Uh... carry on... /shiftyeyes
Brickdoctor Posted October 4, 2011 Author Posted October 4, 2011 "Are you saying that if we sign a contract with you, we are not allowed to work for or with any other group, friend or foe? Are you implying that everyone who is not with you is against you?" "I'm saying that if you ally yourself with us, you do as we tell you to. You may not work with any other group, friend or foe, unless given written permission from the elven commander you're assigned to."
swils Posted October 4, 2011 Posted October 4, 2011 "I'm saying that if you ally yourself with us, you do as we tell you to. You may not work with any other group, friend or foe, unless given written permission from the elven commander you're assigned to." And what of the Heroica Guild, and our preexisting commitments therein, which have brought us to your service in the first place?
Brickdoctor Posted October 4, 2011 Author Posted October 4, 2011 And what of the Heroica Guild, and our preexisting commitments therein, which have brought us to your service in the first place? "I can, of course, give you written permission to continue those activities, but I have to know the details first."
swils Posted October 4, 2011 Posted October 4, 2011 "I can, of course, give you written permission to continue those activities, but I have to know the details first." Right then. Might I have a moment to speak with my friends here outside your earshot?
Tanma Posted October 4, 2011 Posted October 4, 2011 De'kra could see that the situation was being handled well, at least as best as it could be. It is only natural that the elves want to know about hired help, otherwise they might be betrayed, or their could be a conflict of interest. De'kra couldn't help but notice those ears, with such hearing appendages the odds were that anything the group whispered, the elves would hear. They would have to speak carefully.
Brickdoctor Posted October 4, 2011 Author Posted October 4, 2011 "There is a small room over here where you may converse in private."
Tamamono Posted October 4, 2011 Posted October 4, 2011 "There is a small room over here where you may converse in private." "My companions and I would like to go to that room and discuss your offer. We won't be long."
Tanma Posted October 4, 2011 Posted October 4, 2011 De'kra bowed his head in thanks to the elves, and followed in after the groups leader. The shade decided to wait till he heard the others' thoughts, or at least some of the opinions on this matter.
swils Posted October 4, 2011 Posted October 4, 2011 (edited) "My companions and I would like to go to that room and discuss your offer. We won't be long." Thormanil walks to the room with the party. Upon entering, he scans the room, searching for anything out of the ordinary. Perhaps a painting with eyes that seem to follow your movements. He walks around the room, tapping on the walls, listening for anything that sounds hollow, and the floor, walls, and ceiling for vents or anything of the sort that could carry their conversation to prying ears. Those elves can be sneaky, after all. OOC: For the sake of keeping things moving, I'll continue as though I rolled perfect Spot checks (PnP ftw), and under the assumption that we are, in fact, in a private setting. Alright, well, much as I hate to say it, I think we've gotta work with these elves. They control our access to not only R'kilf, but certainly to Brobric in its entirety. I'm not too keen on this whole idea of the elves keeping us on a tight leash, but if that's the only way we can get their help, then so be it. I'm no fool, though, and don't expect them to keep us privy to all of their operations, so I'd vote that we return the favor in kind. They ask who we're working for, we tell them 'An anonymous employer, who contacted us through the Heroica Guild.' Our mission? We're to investigate the presence of the Lion Knights here on the Free Islands, with the goal of finding their main base of operations and acquiring intelligence regarding their involvement in a series of criminal acts and aggression, with our only lead being the dagger found at the site of a raided caravan. And, as for our quiet friend here, if they should inquire... Thormanil looks towards Shawe This here's just another eager adventurer, a bit of an introverted rogue, who has a knack for never landing a hit in combat, but being so nimble that none have managed to scratch him thus far, either. It's almost as if he's not even there when we get into a brawl. But get him drunk enough and he makes for quite the life of the party, and besides, he 'signed up for the quest as well', so we kind of have to let him tag along anyway. Looking around, he realizes his little monologue has weighed heavily on the eyelids of his companions, he shouts, Tee El Dee Arr! After several questioning stares, but nonetheless having gotten their attention, he explains, *sigh* '(If) The Elves Don't Ask'! It'll be our M.O.! Only tell 'em what they ask, and only enough to answer the question. Why're we here? Hired through Heroica. What're we after? The Lion Knights. Who's the old guy? A quiet, clumsy rogue. Are we working with/for anyone other than the Elves? We dunno, we just answered an ad back in the Hall in Freeport, and haven't the slightest who posted the ad, we just trust the Guild to filter out any ignoble 'quests'. Whaddya say? Edited October 4, 2011 by swils
Tanma Posted October 4, 2011 Posted October 4, 2011 De'kra checks the ceiling, and makes a note to carry around a stick in the future for poking things. "Heroes and I not assume elves foolish," said De'kra, "elves might not like leave land, but elves no like outsiders. Know "enemy" to defeat it. Possible elves have seen guide before, and not now then later elves remember. How much safe to reveal to elves? I know it not much, but best tricks come from partial truths."
Darkdragon Posted October 4, 2011 Posted October 4, 2011 (edited) That sounds OK but couldn't they just ask the guild who hired us? I thought it was written on the signup sheet, but perhaps I'm mistaken. it has taken all my willpower to not start a fight with theses upity elves, which would probably be easy to start here. It is utterly ridiculous that they expect us to divulge everything with no proof that they are not the lion knights themselves. they say they can't trust us, but all they want so far is to know who we work for and we have no reason to trust them. I do not like this contract at all. I don't think lying is safe and I don't think they deserve to know the details of our quest other than what we have said already. Edited October 4, 2011 by darkdragon
swils Posted October 4, 2011 Posted October 4, 2011 De'kra checks the ceiling, and makes a note to carry around a stick in the future for poking things. "Heroes and I not assume elves foolish," said De'kra, "elves might not like leave land, but elves no like outsiders. Know "enemy" to defeat it. Possible elves have seen guide before, and not now then later elves remember. How much safe to reveal to elves? I know it not much, but best tricks come from partial truths." Aye, 'partial truths,' you've got the right idea! We tell them enough to answer their questions, but we take care to omit any details that involve us with our employer or similar. If, by chance, they are already aware of our friend's identity, and bring it against us at some point, then we must unanimously agree that we had no clue--his name was on the list back at the Hall as well, and for all we knew, he was merely another member of our party. That sounds OK but couldn't they just ask the guild who hired us? I thought it was written on the signup sheet, but perhaps I'm mistaken. it has taken all my willpower to not start a fight with theses upity elves, which would probably be easy to start here. it is utterly ridiculous that they expect us to divulge everything with no proof that they are not the lion knights themselves. they say they can't trust us, but all they want so far is to know whose work for and we have no reason to trust them. I do not like this contract at all. I don't think lying is safe and I don't think they deserve to know the details of our quest other than what we have said already. You and I share many of the same concerns, Cinna. I'd love to have taken a swing at the fellow back at the gate, myself... But the fact is, even if we were to overpower them here, I can't imagine we'd have much luck getting into Brobrick if the elves there caught wind of our aggression. Worse comes to worst, we find ourselves standing against them anyway. We really haven't come that far in our investigation, and what we have found has led us to the elves. If we can garner any more information from them... I hate to say it, but I think we need to give them a chance. Try not to think of it as lying, merely... omitting! Heh heh
Tanma Posted October 4, 2011 Posted October 4, 2011 De'kra nodded at hero and dark power's words and clicked, "I wonder it little. I understand elves want to keep invaders off Uland, it possible elves want to only defeat lion knights. But I not know relations elves have and six houses. Lion knights might tactic to swell territory and get supplies. Currently Heroes and I have no proof of connection, and heroes and I have no leads. Heroes and I also in village of elves, heroes and I at Elves' mercy. Quide; how much heroes and I say? How relations of you home and elves?"
Brickdoctor Posted October 4, 2011 Author Posted October 4, 2011 Quide; how much heroes and I say? How relations of you home and elves?" "The Brobric Elves usually keep to themselves. There's no living human who can remember the last time they interacted this much with other villages. They live off the Eubric Forest and have virtually no imports or exports, so they're indifferent as far as the six houses are concerned. It probably wouldn't be that bad if you mentioned you're working for the Shadeaux, but it would be preferable if you did not. The Brobric Elves are crafty when it comes to getting other factions to eliminate their problems for them, though. They may be proud, but their pride doesn't come close to blinding them."
Darkdragon Posted October 4, 2011 Posted October 4, 2011 Well I think we should go with the answer-only-what-is-precisely-asked method and try not to divulge our actual employer name if possible. we did sign up to a quest without knowing who employed us and do believe the guild would not post a quest under false pretenses (as in we are not working for the lion knights). I still don't like this contract idea but we need to do what we must to find these guys and help our employer.
Tanma Posted October 4, 2011 Posted October 4, 2011 (edited) De'kra clicked, "It make situation easier. Heroes and I say group hire from one of six houses to investigate raids on caravans? Elves might know house we hire of most likely Shadeaux or Crownies because of caravan nature, but Alchemists and Mages might need rare resources import. And even one raids on last two might require heroes. Thoughts?" Edited October 4, 2011 by Tanma
ADHO15 Posted October 4, 2011 Posted October 4, 2011 "I think we should just go along with the deal, divulging as little information as possible. That seems to be the best way to keep the elves on our side and should help us track down these Lion Knights, should the elves agree to share their knowledge with us."
Darkdragon Posted October 4, 2011 Posted October 4, 2011 We also need to find out how we can terminate the contract amicably. fir instance if they ask us to do something we find morally objectionable could we refuse and cancel the contract durationfrom that point? I don't want to become a slave to them.
Tamamono Posted October 4, 2011 Posted October 4, 2011 "I'm actually kind of against signing the contract. If it comes out that we are currently working for the Shadeaux, the Elves may become angry and take action. The last thing we want is to be fighting both the Brobric Elves and the Lion Knights. However, we have to sign if we want to find out anything of the Lion Knights' whereabouts. Maybe we could ask if the contract would still be agreeable even if we're already working for someone else?" That sounds OK but couldn't they just ask the guild who hired us? I thought it was written on the signup sheet, but perhaps I'm mistaken. it has taken all my willpower to not start a fight with theses upity elves, which would probably be easy to start here. It is utterly ridiculous that they expect us to divulge everything with no proof that they are not the lion knights themselves. they say they can't trust us, but all they want so far is to know who we work for and we have no reason to trust them. I do not like this contract at all. I don't think lying is safe and I don't think they deserve to know the details of our quest other than what we have said already. "I agree, Cinna. Lying will get us nowhere." Aye, 'partial truths,' you've got the right idea! We tell them enough to answer their questions, but we take care to omit any details that involve us with our employer or similar. If, by chance, they are already aware of our friend's identity, and bring it against us at some point, then we must unanimously agree that we had no clue--his name was on the list back at the Hall as well, and for all we knew, he was merely another member of our party. "I don't know, I seem to remember that the quest specifically stated that we were working for the Shadeaux. I wonder if the Brobric Elves have any way of communicating with the Hall... Mr. Shawe, do you know if they do?" You and I share many of the same concerns, Cinna. I'd love to have taken a swing at the fellow back at the gate, myself... But the fact is, even if we were to overpower them here, I can't imagine we'd have much luck getting into Brobrick if the elves there caught wind of our aggression. Worse comes to worst, we find ourselves standing against them anyway. We really haven't come that far in our investigation, and what we have found has led us to the elves. If we can garner any more information from them... I hate to say it, but I think we need to give them a chance. Try not to think of it as lying, merely... omitting! Heh heh "I agree, Thormanil. Lying would be a bad decision, but trying to fight them would be utter suicide." "The Brobric Elves usually keep to themselves. There's no living human who can remember the last time they interacted this much with other villages. They live off the Eubric Forest and have virtually no imports or exports, so they're indifferent as far as the six houses are concerned. It probably wouldn't be that bad if you mentioned you're working for the Shadeaux, but it would be preferable if you did not. The Brobric Elves are crafty when it comes to getting other factions to eliminate their problems for them, though. They may be proud, but their pride doesn't come close to blinding them." "That's one of the things that has been bothering me. Why do the Brobric Elves care about the Lion Knights? And more importantly: why are they taking action here in R'Klif?" We also need to find out how we can terminate the contract amicably. fir instance if they ask us to do something we find morally objectionable could we refuse and cancel the contract durationfrom that point? I don't want to become a slave to them. "That's another good point. What if they suddenly ask us to start attacking innocent civilians or to raid the Hall? We have to make sure that we read the fine print just in case."
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