Heroica RPG - Quest #77: Your Elves are Better than Ours

[Brickdoctor]

Nerwen spoke gently

How long have you been in the town Sir Shawe? When you say the elves have never tried to defend the place is it perhaps because others here did not want them to move about the town armed and they withdrew to avoid unnecessary conflict with townsmen?

As for seeing them, I spoke to them yesterday and I am taking Lord Boomingham to see them after we have spoken to you. If you are willing, we would be happy to have you along and you could speak to them also.

"I was sent here about six months ago. I found a war-torn village overrun by Pongcanae. My spies tell me that the elves withdrew a couple days after Lord Keveak's and Lord Ricroar's deaths in Bric'lin, and that they rarely emerged after that. The Pogs arrived soon after, the people asked for help, and the elves did nothing.

"I have little to say to the elves, and I am busy preparing my men, but if it will help you decide to ally yourselves with me, then I will go. But if I am to put enough trust in the elves to enter their keep, stronghold that it is, then I must require that I be afforded enough trust to do so accompanied by me best soldiers, and armed."

[Zepher]

Boomingham steps back out into the room with the soldiers and sighs merrily. "Hi there, all. I'm Lord Lawrence Boomingham, King of the Desert and Lost Kingdom, Slayer of the Bluehood and Steerpike the Poisoner." He smiles warmly. "And hopefully a savior of this town in some fashion. So tell me in confidence, what are your names, your force's number, your professions, how long you've held a sword in your hand, and what you think of the big bad Shawe in the other room."

[Brickdoctor]

Boomingham steps back out into the room with the soldiers and sighs merrily. "Hi there, all. I'm Lord Lawrence Boomingham, King of the Desert and Lost Kingdom, Slayer of the Bluehood and Steerpike the Poisoner." He smiles warmly. "And hopefully a savior of this town in some fashion. So tell me in confidence, what are your names, your force's number, your professions, how long you've held a sword in your hand, and what you think of the big bad Shawe in the other room."

"Uh, yes, of course, Lord Boomingham! Symond Acton; I used to work with a traveling theater company; I've never held a sword, not a real one that wasn't a prop, at least. Sir Isaac has helped me do something meaningful with my life after my colleagues fled without me."

"Jacob..."

"...and Christian."

"We're what you might call 'professional soldiers'."

"Highly dangerous."

"Paladins, in fact."

"Shawe puts the food on the table and pays us a little Gold."

"Benedict Garrie, former warehouse guard for hire. I have experience with the sword, but injuries have left me as the standard-bearer and lookout. Sir Isaac rescued me from the Pongcanae; I owe him my life."

"I am Neristhyra. Master Shawe saved me from slavery. I have used many swords, and I would die for him."

"Nothing left to hide; people keep calling me by name anyways... Captain Amice Colledg. I've worked with Sir Isaac for nine years. I was inserted as a shopkeeper here a year and a half ago."

[Wedge09]

Outside the warehouses are barrels and crates and here and there, the remains of what looks to you like some sort of personal guard hired to protect the goods once housed here.

"Which one do you want to try first?"

You recall from Lord Normorn's map that there are three warehouses.

Alexander reaches the two girls to the warehouses; he dig in tne ground with his shovel, checks the crates and then speaks "Well, I think we could start with the first in line."

[Sandy]

Alexander reaches the two girls to the warehouses; he dig in tne ground with his shovel, checks the crates and then speaks "Well, I think we could start with the first in line."

Ellaria kneels to check the remains of the guard for any anomalities. She then grabs the spear and the sword, investigates them and takes them with her.

"Alright, ready to go now!" she says cheerfully as she gets up. "The warehouse on the left, we'll begin there."

[Zepher]

Boomingham raises an eyebrow. "For a citizen militia, Shawe certainly uses a lot of hired hands. Jacob and Christian, I believe I met you two on a boat at some point in my adventures. At least I know you can hold a sword at the right end. Neri, a slave with devotion to Shawe, so I'm guessing you're not from here either. Captain Amice, another Shadeaux employee... Symond and Gerrie don't seem to be from here either." Boomingham shrugs. "I was looking to ask the citizens of this if they thought they could hold it if we left it in their hands, but it doesn't look like there are many citizens floating around. So, if anyone - Amice, perhaps? - were to enlighten me as to how you're different than the Mopag, feel free."

[Duvors]

Throlar heads to the elven keep.

[Flipz]

"I was sent here about six months ago. I found a war-torn village overrun by Pongcanae. My spies tell me that the elves withdrew a couple days after Lord Keveak's and Lord Ricroar's deaths in Bric'lin, and that they rarely emerged after that. The Pogs arrived soon after, the people asked for help, and the elves did nothing.

"I have little to say to the elves, and I am busy preparing my men, but if it will help you decide to ally yourselves with me, then I will go. But if I am to put enough trust in the elves to enter their keep, stronghold that it is, then I must require that I be afforded enough trust to do so accompanied by me best soldiers, and armed."

"Oh, I definitely think you're more in the right than anyone else in this town. I'm just not one for unnecessary bloodshed. If we can gain the elves' support without violence or coercion, this town will be much more stable than it would be otherwise."

"Lady Nerwen has more experience with the elves than I--I defer to her judgment as far as their likely reaction goes."

[Brickdoctor]

QM Note:

Funny how in the quest that's open-world where you're actually supposed to explore and do whatever you want, it's taken over a month for someone to dig.

Alexander reaches the two girls to the warehouses; he dig in tne ground with his shovel, checks the crates and then speaks "Well, I think we could start with the first in line."

You check inside the crate, but it's empty. When you dig, however, you find a few coins that had been carelessly dropped:

10 Gold

Ellaria kneels to check the remains of the guard for any anomalities. She then grabs the spear and the sword, investigates them and takes them with her.

"Alright, ready to go now!" she says cheerfully as she gets up. "The warehouse on the left, we'll begin there."

You find a skeleton whose ribcage had been shattered, spear running through the shards of bone and into the ground. You pull out the spear and pick up the sword, noticing the style of the spear:

Pongcanis Spear

(WP: 7) -

This spear was formerly the weapon of a tribe of bestial hunters.

Standard-Issue Saber

(WP: 5) -

Appearing to have been forged with little care, this saber was probably mass-produced for guards.

The Party at the Warehouses:

Alexander Vandangant (Wedge09)

99 year-old male elven Hunter

Level 15

Power:

22

(Level 15 + WP: 7 +

Power Bonus:

0)

Defense:

5

(SP: 2 + SP: 3)

Health:

28/28

(Base HP: 6 + Level bonus: 14 + Class bonus: 6 + Artifact bonus: 2)

Gold:

100

Equipment:

Fauxthril Crossbow (WP: 7;

Darkness

-elemental; Hollow Blade [nothing stored]), Chevalier of Charis Armor (Max HP +2; SP: 2; bodywear), Tricorne (SP: 3; headwear)

Inventory:

Delfrin Crossbow (WP: 5), Giant Club (WP: 8),

•

Duplovian Helmets of the Guard (SP: 2, Immune to Magic and Healing)(2), Sterile Gloves (Immune to

Poisoned

and

Badly Poisoned

; handwear),

•

Grand Potion, Potions (2), Venoms (4), Smoke Bomb, Dirt Bomb, Ice Bomb, Holy Bomb, Fire Bomb, First Aid Kit (Consumable), Bones (4), Meads (3), Mithril Shard (1/4 of a piece of Mithril),

•

Bedroll, Shovel

Ellaria Arbour (Sandy)

22 year-old female human Druid

Level 22.33

*Invisible*

*Immune to

Sealed

*

*Lucky*

Power:

35

(Level 22 + WP: 10 +

Power Bonus:

3)

Defense:

3

(SP: 3)

Health:

38/38

(Base HP: 9 + Level bonus: 21 + Class bonus: 7 + Permanent Bonus: 1)

Ether:

34/34

(Base Ether: 5 + Level bonus: 21 + Class bonus: 1 + Artifact bonus: 5 + Permanent bonus: 2)

Gold:

8

Equipment:

Ignis Fatuus (WP: 10;

Fire-

,

Lighting

-elemental; staff), Black Bandana (Power +3; pirate lingo; headwear), Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3; Max Ether +5; Immune to

Sealed

; bodywear), Spirit Robe (Wearer is invisible for the first 3 Rounds of battle so they do not take Free Hits; backwear)

Inventory:

Unlucky Horseshoe (WP: 13; inflicts

Jinxed

; throwing weapon), Sylvania's Crossbow (WP: 7;

Wood

-elemental; crossbow), Wizard's Staff (WP: 1;

Fire

-,

Wind

-,

Water

-,

Earth

-elemental; staff), Pongcanis Spear (WP: 7), Standard-Issue Saber (WP: 5)

•

Tricorne (SP: 3; headwear), Sterile Gloves (Immune to

Poisoned

and

Badly Poisoned

; handwear),

•

Scroll of Inspiration (

Inspired

; costs 10 Ether; 50/50 chance), Scroll of Sealing,

•

Potion, Grand Potions (2), Health Cores (4), Tonic, Grand Tonics (6), Ether Core, Elixir, Remedy, Neutralizer, Tiger Balm, Phoenix Essences (2), Mead, Nostrum, Soma, Deadly Venom, Smoke Bombs (2), Flash Bomb, Fire Bombs (3), Ice Bomb, Lightning Bombs (2), Water Bombs (2), Holy Bombs (2), Bones(2)

•

Bedroll, Pickaxe, Telescope, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass

Ahvialyn (NPC)

Female elven Rogue

Level 17

Power:

37

(Level 17 + WP: 20)

Health:

23/23

(Base HP: 7 + Level bonus: 16)

Defense:

3

(SP: 3)

Gold:

10

Equipment:

Mythril Dagger (WP: 20; may be used as a melee or a throwing weapon), Elven Plate Armor (SP: 3; bodywear), Cloak of the Elven Spy (Wearer may examine enemy stats before a battle; backwear)

Inventory:

Backup Dagger (WP: 5)

•

Health Core, Grand Potion, Potion, Elixir, Remedy, Smoke Bomb, Venom, Deadly Venom

•

Bedroll

The warehouse door opens readily, and you step into the dark wooden building.

You see containers and their contents strewn around, along with another skeleton of a guard, this one sheltered from the elements and in better shape.

The Party under the Marketplace:

Boomingham raises an eyebrow. "For a citizen militia, Shawe certainly uses a lot of hired hands. Jacob and Christian, I believe I met you two on a boat at some point in my adventures. At least I know you can hold a sword at the right end. Neri, a slave with devotion to Shawe, so I'm guessing you're not from here either. Captain Amice, another Shadeaux employee... Symond and Gerrie don't seem to be from here either." Boomingham shrugs. "I was looking to ask the citizens of this if they thought they could hold it if we left it in their hands, but it doesn't look like there are many citizens floating around. So, if anyone - Amice, perhaps? - were to enlighten me as to how you're different than the Mopag, feel free."

"Not born here, no, but my former master was one of the richer merchants who lived in R'kilf for several years."

"Actually, most of our soldiers are citizens of R'kilf who were already living here. They're mostly spread throughout the village right now, since they can blend in better than we can, and the more that are here, the higher the chances of this base being found. Sir Isaac has them performing smaller scale hit-and-run attacks now and then.

"We're different from the Mopag because Warlord Kaherdin only seeks to conquer the village for his own glory and for his own people to live in. He wants to make this into a Mopag military outpost."

"Oh, I definitely think you're more in the right than anyone else in this town. I'm just not one for unnecessary bloodshed. If we can gain the elves' support without violence or coercion, this town will be much more stable than it would be otherwise."

"Lady Nerwen has more experience with the elves than I--I defer to her judgment as far as their likely reaction goes."

"Unnecessary bloodshed, that is not my goal, either. But unnecessary risk in trying to ally with a group of elves who don't trust us and whom my men don't trust either, that is something I would prefer to avoid."

The Party at the Keep:

Throlar heads to the elven keep.

You return to the keep.

[Duvors]

"Ay tis I again, the dwarf, I am alone and wish to speak to your Lady, I will disarm myself if I need to, but It is need to speak with her now." Called Throlar, trying to be as Diplomatic as possible.

[Chromeknight]

"I have little to say to the elves, and I am busy preparing my men, but if it will help you decide to ally yourselves with me, then I will go. But if I am to put enough trust in the elves to enter their keep, stronghold that it is, then I must require that I be afforded enough trust to do so accompanied by me best soldiers, and armed."

It is surprising that a man of your experience seems to know so little about how trust works.

I am certain that you would be happy accompanied by armed men, but equally I guess that you would be less comfortable having a party of armed elves in your own home. You expect trust but extend none yourself, that is a poor attempt.

I suggest this. I will go unarmed, and you may have one blade, sufficient to kill me should the elves prove false in some way.

You will meet Lady Calaryl alone of the elves, accompanied by none save a weaponless Lord Boomingham, who will stand as sureity for your own undeceitfulness. Lady Calaryl will also have only one blade, but you need have no concern, there will be two bodies between her and you always.

We will not meet inside the keep, where you might be separated from your retainers but in the entrance with the door open, that you might flee should fear overwhelm you.

Should negotiations succeed, you will remove an obstacle to your control of this town, you will have the support of the elvish forces and the heroes of heroica will back you unreservedly. You stand to gain much by doing this, and you loose nothing in the attempt.

[Zepher]

"Way I see it, still isn't that different than what that Shawe wants. But, if you say you've got the citizen's support... well, I'd like to see them, but assuming you're telling the truth, I'd still deem you the lesser of the evils around here. Amice, I'm interested to hear how you found yourself working for Shawe and House Shadeaux. I've got a friend or two in that noble house, and I'm always happy to hear a tale."

[Wedge09]

"Another dead body, I think here could have came the pongcanis." Alexander investigates he crates and the dead body in search of anything. Then he moves and check if the door is sealed or not.

[Brickdoctor]

"Ay tis I again, the dwarf, I am alone and wish to speak to your Lady, I will disarm myself if I need to, but It is need to speak with her now." Called Throlar, trying to be as Diplomatic as possible.

"...fine."

The doors are opened, and you are led inside, though you are not forced to disarm — whether because the elves don't fear you or because they trust you as one of Nerwen's companions, you do not know. You are led upstairs to a hall, gleaming in a combination of the morning sun and the ethereal light from somewhere above, supported by architecture that has merged into trees.

"I have not dealt with dwarves in my hall for as long as I have commanded this army... If you must be here, speak now, and quickly."

The Party under the Marketplace:

It is surprising that a man of your experience seems to know so little about how trust works.

I am certain that you would be happy accompanied by armed men, but equally I guess that you would be less comfortable having a party of armed elves in your own home. You expect trust but extend none yourself, that is a poor attempt.

"I do not believe that I ever said that I would not allow armed elves to negotiate with me here, provided they could not reveal my location, of course. I am, in fact, putting some amount of trust in the elves if I enter their keep. I have no idea what kind of strength or manner of traps they possess inside their fortress; their keep could easily become my tomb."

"Way I see it, still isn't that different than what that Shawe wants. But, if you say you've got the citizen's support... well, I'd like to see them, but assuming you're telling the truth, I'd still deem you the lesser of the evils around here. Amice, I'm interested to hear how you found yourself working for Shawe and House Shadeaux. I've got a friend or two in that noble house, and I'm always happy to hear a tale."

"Come back tomorrow. I will assemble a group of the citizens who fight with us. My story is a simple one: I inherited a shop in R'kilf, I managed it well, the Shadeaux took notice and hired me, and they sent me back here later."

"Another dead body, I think here could have came the pongcanis." Alexander investigates he crates and the dead body in search of anything. Then he moves and check if the door is sealed or not.

Looking in the crate and around the body you find:

Big Apple

-

Permanently raises Power by 1.

Standard-Issue Saber

(WP: 5; longsword) -

Appearing to have been forged with little care, this saber was probably mass-produced for guards.

QM Note:

That's the door you came in through. Sorry if it isn't clear. Yes, I just realized that the hinges would be on the wrong side.

The Party at the Warehouses:

Alexander Vandangant (Wedge09)

99 year-old male elven Hunter

Level 15

Power:

22

(Level 15 + WP: 7 +

Power Bonus:

0)

Defense:

5

(SP: 2 + SP: 3)

Health:

28/28

(Base HP: 6 + Level bonus: 14 + Class bonus: 6 + Artifact bonus: 2)

Gold:

100

Equipment:

Fauxthril Crossbow (WP: 7;

Darkness

-elemental; Hollow Blade [nothing stored]), Chevalier of Charis Armor (Max HP +2; SP: 2; bodywear), Tricorne (SP: 3; headwear)

Inventory:

Delfrin Crossbow (WP: 5), Giant Club (WP: 8), Standard-Issue Saber (WP: 5; longsword)

•

Duplovian Helmets of the Guard (SP: 2, Immune to Magic and Healing)(2), Sterile Gloves (Immune to

Poisoned

and

Badly Poisoned

; handwear),

•

Grand Potion, Potions (2), Venoms (4), Smoke Bomb, Dirt Bomb, Ice Bomb, Holy Bomb, Fire Bomb, First Aid Kit (Consumable), Bones (4), Meads (3), Mithril Shard (1/4 of a piece of Mithril), Big Apple

•

Bedroll, Shovel

Ellaria Arbour (Sandy)

22 year-old female human Druid

Level 22.33

*Invisible*

*Immune to

Sealed

*

*Lucky*

Power:

35

(Level 22 + WP: 10 +

Power Bonus:

3)

Defense:

3

(SP: 3)

Health:

38/38

(Base HP: 9 + Level bonus: 21 + Class bonus: 7 + Permanent Bonus: 1)

Ether:

34/34

(Base Ether: 5 + Level bonus: 21 + Class bonus: 1 + Artifact bonus: 5 + Permanent bonus: 2)

Gold:

8

Equipment:

Ignis Fatuus (WP: 10;

Fire-

,

Lighting

-elemental; staff), Black Bandana (Power +3; pirate lingo; headwear), Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3; Max Ether +5; Immune to

Sealed

; bodywear), Spirit Robe (Wearer is invisible for the first 3 Rounds of battle so they do not take Free Hits; backwear)

Inventory:

Unlucky Horseshoe (WP: 13; inflicts

Jinxed

; throwing weapon), Sylvania's Crossbow (WP: 7;

Wood

-elemental; crossbow), Wizard's Staff (WP: 1;

Fire

-,

Wind

-,

Water

-,

Earth

-elemental; staff), Pongcanis Spear (WP: 7), Standard-Issue Saber (WP: 5; longsword)

•

Tricorne (SP: 3; headwear), Sterile Gloves (Immune to

Poisoned

and

Badly Poisoned

; handwear),

•

Scroll of Inspiration (

Inspired

; costs 10 Ether; 50/50 chance), Scroll of Sealing,

•

Potion, Grand Potions (2), Health Cores (4), Tonic, Grand Tonics (6), Ether Core, Elixir, Remedy, Neutralizer, Tiger Balm, Phoenix Essences (2), Mead, Nostrum, Soma, Deadly Venom, Smoke Bombs (2), Flash Bomb, Fire Bombs (3), Ice Bomb, Lightning Bombs (2), Water Bombs (2), Holy Bombs (2), Bones(2)

•

Bedroll, Pickaxe, Telescope, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass

Ahvialyn (NPC)

Female elven Rogue

Level 17

Power:

37

(Level 17 + WP: 20)

Health:

23/23

(Base HP: 7 + Level bonus: 16)

Defense:

3

(SP: 3)

Gold:

10

Equipment:

Mythril Dagger (WP: 20; may be used as a melee or a throwing weapon), Elven Plate Armor (SP: 3; bodywear), Cloak of the Elven Spy (Wearer may examine enemy stats before a battle; backwear)

Inventory:

Backup Dagger (WP: 5)

•

Health Core, Grand Potion, Potion, Elixir, Remedy, Smoke Bomb, Venom, Deadly Venom

•

Bedroll

[Wedge09]

"Well, we find nothing usefull for our search, we could search the second warehouse, Ellaria?"

[Flipz]

"Perhaps we could arrange a meeting in a neutral location? That way, it would not be improper for both sides to bring armed troops--so long as a prearranged number of troops are present on each side," Arthur proposes Diplomatically.

[Zepher]

"Sounds good enough, Amice. I'll go see if my comrades are done bothering poor Shawe." Boomingham nods to the rebels and returns to Shawe.

[Brickdoctor]

"Well, we find nothing usefull for our search, we could search the second warehouse, Ellaria?"

QM Note:

I'm not saying that there is or isn't something useful there, but there are other things to investigate in the picture besides the crate and the body.

"Perhaps we could arrange a meeting in a neutral location? That way, it would not be improper for both sides to bring armed troops--so long as a prearranged number of troops are present on each side," Arthur proposes Diplomatically.

Sir Isaac chuckles.

"Heh, that's just what the Lions, Hinckwells, and elves were doing when I got the heroes to kill the elves.

"On that note, the inn is probably the only secure location besides this base and the keep where the Pogs and Mopag are unlikely to interfere. I would not be opposed to the idea."

"Sounds good enough, Amice. I'll go see if my comrades are done bothering poor Shawe." Boomingham nods to the rebels and returns to Shawe.

You return to the room where Isaac is speaking to Arthur and Nerwen.

[Sandy]

Ellaria looks around the warehouse. "Raided empty by the Pongcanae, it seems. We have to advance carefully, in case some of them still linger around here."

Before heading out, Ellaria picks up the coins from the ground and peeks into the barrel.

She then leads the party to the second warehouse in the row, but stops at the door to listen for any sounds coming from inside.

[Flipz]

"In that case, perhaps Lord Boomingham could escort you and your guards--how many do you feel would be fair, by the way?--to the inn, and Lady Nerwen and I could visit the Elves and bring them to the inn as well."

[Duvors]

Throlar bows. "My lady, First I must present my credentials to you and to tell you that I come as an ambassador from the Wineghilm clan of Titaan." said Throlar in the most Diplomatic way possible, giving his credentials to the Lady of the elves.

[Brickdoctor]

Ellaria looks around the warehouse. "Raided empty by the Pongcanae, it seems. We have to advance carefully, in case some of them still linger around here."

Before heading out, Ellaria picks up the coins from the ground and peeks into the barrel.

She then leads the party to the second warehouse in the row, but stops at the door to listen for any sounds coming from inside.

You pick up the two coins and see that they both have a '10' molded into them, giving you 20 Gold. You find nothing in the barrel.

Moving to the second warehouse, you stop before entering to listen at the door. You can hear some clinking of metal and quiet but casual-sounding conversation inside.

The Party at the Warehouses:

Ellaria Arbour (Sandy)

22 year-old female human Druid

Level 22.33

*Invisible*

*Immune to

Sealed

*

*Lucky*

Power:

35

(Level 22 + WP: 10 +

Power Bonus:

3)

Defense:

3

(SP: 3)

Health:

38/38

(Base HP: 9 + Level bonus: 21 + Class bonus: 7 + Permanent Bonus: 1)

Ether:

34/34

(Base Ether: 5 + Level bonus: 21 + Class bonus: 1 + Artifact bonus: 5 + Permanent bonus: 2)

Gold:

28

Equipment:

Ignis Fatuus (WP: 10;

Fire-

,

Lighting

-elemental; staff), Black Bandana (Power +3; pirate lingo; headwear), Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3; Max Ether +5; Immune to

Sealed

; bodywear), Spirit Robe (Wearer is invisible for the first 3 Rounds of battle so they do not take Free Hits; backwear)

Inventory:

Unlucky Horseshoe (WP: 13; inflicts

Jinxed

; throwing weapon), Sylvania's Crossbow (WP: 7;

Wood

-elemental; crossbow), Wizard's Staff (WP: 1;

Fire

-,

Wind

-,

Water

-,

Earth

-elemental; staff), Pongcanis Spear (WP: 7), Standard-Issue Saber (WP: 5; longsword)

•

Tricorne (SP: 3; headwear), Sterile Gloves (Immune to

Poisoned

and

Badly Poisoned

; handwear),

•

Scroll of Inspiration (

Inspired

; costs 10 Ether; 50/50 chance), Scroll of Sealing,

•

Potion, Grand Potions (2), Health Cores (4), Tonic, Grand Tonics (6), Ether Core, Elixir, Remedy, Neutralizer, Tiger Balm, Phoenix Essences (2), Mead, Nostrum, Soma, Deadly Venom, Smoke Bombs (2), Flash Bomb, Fire Bombs (3), Ice Bomb, Lightning Bombs (2), Water Bombs (2), Holy Bombs (2), Bones(2)

•

Bedroll, Pickaxe, Telescope, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass

The Party under the Marketplace:

"In that case, perhaps Lord Boomingham could escort you and your guards--how many do you feel would be fair, by the way?--to the inn, and Lady Nerwen and I could visit the Elves and bring them to the inn as well."

"Two guards each? I'll want the Duke of Patuqun present as well."

The Party in the Keep:

Throlar bows. "My lady, First I must present my credentials to you and to tell you that I come as an ambassador from the Wineghilm clan of Titaan." said Throlar in the most Diplomatic way possible, giving his credentials to the Lady of the elves.

You hand the papers to Lady Calaryl, who noticeably cringes at touching the documents that have been carried around in the clothing of a dwarf for so long.

"I see. What is your purpose here, Ambassador Wineghilm?"

[Flipz]

"That seems fair. Though I'm not sure who the Elves could bring in to match the Duke's social stature; perhaps Lady Nerwen could serve as a suitable counterpart if they have none of their own?"

[Brickdoctor]

"That seems fair. Though I'm not sure who the Elves could bring in to match the Duke's social stature; perhaps Lady Nerwen could serve as a suitable counterpart if they have none of their own?"

"I will give up one of my guards so that Duke Bârbêthân can come. The loss of skill in battle should compensate for the gaining of skill with words."

[Flipz]

"Ah, so you would have two plus the Duke and they would have three? That's fair."

"Lady Nerwen, might I suggest we move on to meet the Elves now? We should set the time of the meeting to be shortly after our noontime rendezvous with the others, so we're all in one place and have time to prepare."