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

[Sandy]

"The way seems to be clear. No harm doublechecking things, though..."

Ellaria uses her magnifying glass on the warehouse door and the ground below it in search of traps, before opening the door and entering.

[Duvors]

The Party in the Keep:

"That does not answer the question, master dwarf; my patience wears thin. Why are you here to speak to me? What do you try to convince me to do? You have established the situation that you claim to find yourself in; now speak of why this should concern me."

"Because you claim to rule R'kilf, and if you come out on top in this conflict I am going to recommend an alliance with you."

[Flipz]

For hope is not a wish or wanting or desire, but a trust in a promise and a looking forward with joy to its coming to pass.

But trust can be difficult to find. The surest way to do so is to be trustworthy yourself. Make promises and keep them. Start with small ones and you will find the bigger ones become easier to bring to pass. And as you keep promises, others will extend theirs to you. This is the way of civilisation and the path of Galadrya and Celeborn, who bring order and harmony.

I promise you, this is a understanding that brings contentment and life. Trust me and look forward with joy to seeing it for yourself.

Perhaps that is not quite what you were asking, but I think you will see how it answers all of your questions somewhat.

"...Perhaps."

"What are the Elves saying? I can only read Elvish now; I used to speak it when I was little, but it's been a long time since then, and these Elves speak too quickly for me to understand more than a few snippets. He mentioned something about the dwarf and a Yeti?"

[Zepher]

"I see. You must forgive me for being cautions in speaking about my plans to support a revolution to travelers I had never met before. Gold is not of large concern for me or my king. The Kingdom of Patuqun has been at war with the Pongcanis tribe of Hochirka for a century. We received word of the rise of the Dread Pirate Indiacca, and we have come to the conclusion that he must be stopped before he can also unite the larger tribes north-west of the Free Islands. In exchange for our support of the resistance, the House of Shadeaux has given us information from their spies regarding the movements and plans of the Pongcanae."

"Long time to fight a war. I've never dealt with the furballs before, but they don't see all that friendly. If we can find ourselves a friend in the elves, might be we can go destroy these monsters nice and easy, though my party leader seems to think that the monsters outside the gates needs an envoy sent to them in peace first. What do you think about that?"

[Chromeknight]

"What are the Elves saying? I can only read Elvish now; I used to speak it when I was little, but it's been a long time since then, and these Elves speak too quickly for me to understand more than a few snippets. He mentioned something about the dwarf and a Yeti?"

They are saying Throlar is inside. We had best go in.

Speaking to the door warden elf,

This is Private Regulus of Eubric City Watch, seconded to Heroica, and one of my companions. I ask for him to be granted to enter. I will stand as surety for his speech and conduct.

Nerwen waits for the answer, but assuming it is permitted, steps inside the keep.

Edited September 1, 2013 by Chromeknight

[Brickdoctor]

The Party at the Warehouses:

"The way seems to be clear. No harm doublechecking things, though..."

Ellaria uses her magnifying glass on the warehouse door and the ground below it in search of traps, before opening the door and entering.

Using the Magnifying Glass, you do not discover any traps, but the door is locked.

The Party in the Keep:

"Because you claim to rule R'kilf, and if you come out on top in this conflict I am going to recommend an alliance with you."

You get the sense that were Lady Calaryl not an elf, she might have laughed. As it is, she just stares.

"Ambassador Wineghilm, we do not need an alliance. We are secure; we are safe; we are supplied enough for millennia. We will die defending our keep before we go to a dwarf for assistance!"

The Party at the Keep:

They are saying Throlar is inside. We had best go in.

Speaking to the door warden elf,

This is Private Regulus of Eubric City Watch, seconded to Heroica, and one of my companions. I ask for him to be granted to enter. I will stand as surety for his speech and conduct.

Nerwen waits for the answer, but assuming it is permitted, steps inside the keep.

"Mára. Aiya, Tirissemehtar Regulus. Á túla."

Very well. Hail, Warrior of the Watch Regulus. Come.

You follow Saeavel upstairs to the great hall, where you find Throlar speaking to Lady Calaryl.

"Massánienya Calaryl: heri Nerwen ar Tirissemehtar Regulus."

Lady Calaryl: Lady Nerwen and Warrior of the Watch Regulus.

"Atalatúlië, heri Nerwen. And welcome to R'kilf, Regulus, Warrior of the Watch. Can you speak the language of the Eldar?"

Welcome back, Lady Nerwen.

[Flipz]

"It is to my regret that it is lost amongst the forgotten skills of my youth, save for the incantations related to a few spells of...specific use." Arthur bows diplomatically and says "Lady Nerwen and I bring word of an opportunity that might well be a great boon to you--and to R'kliff itself." He says no more, hoping his Diplomatic prelude might aid her explanation.

[Zepher]

OoC: BD, did you mean for Shawe to respond to that... or the Duke? It sounds like a Shawe response, so I'm a little confused.

[Brickdoctor]

OoC: BD, did you mean for Shawe to respond to that... or the Duke? It sounds like a Shawe response, so I'm a little confused.

QM Note:

Oh...MegaBloks. I used the Duke's avatar, but I wrote it as if it were Shawe, but you're addressing the Duke. One moment.

The Party at the Inn:

"Long time to fight a war. I've never dealt with the furballs before, but they don't see all that friendly. If we can find ourselves a friend in the elves, might be we can go destroy these monsters nice and easy, though my party leader seems to think that the monsters outside the gates needs an envoy sent to them in peace first. What do you think about that?"

"Cooperation is my mission here. I am inexperienced in dealing with the factions of these lands. I trust Sir Isaac's decisions, but I would value the opinion of another citizen of Eubric and the Free Islands like yourself. And I am only here as part of a negotiation and scouting envoy — I have but four knights with me — so any assistance would doubtless be greatly appreciated. As for the Pongcanae, if those who dwell near our kingdom are any indication, reasoning with them is in vain."

"I understand that it may be hard to believe based on what I have done to Heroica in the past, but I am not a warmonger. I merely see little reason to trust the elves and even less reason to speak to the Pogs at all. But if you are willing and capable of arranging such meetings, and if you will grant me the trust and security to bring a couple of my men, then I have no objection."

[Chromeknight]

Nerwen looks at the dwarf.

Greetings Master Throlar. I am surprised to see you here. It was suggested that your strong shield accompany Miss Arbour and Master Vandergant. I did not hear you disagree and I am disappointed that you have deprived them of your skills for seemingly little benefit.

Speaking to Lady Calaryl in common she said

My Lady. My companion does not, as he said, speak our tongue. If it please you I will speak in this tongue that he might follow our conversation.

This morning I met with a Master Shawe, agent of the House of Shadaeux, self styled leader of the 'resistance'. He commands the loyalty of a handful of soldiers and more of he townsfolk. From what I have seen I do not consider him a threat to your home here in the keep and I am not entirely certain of his motives. He can, I believe, be used.

By contributing to his campaign against the Pongcanae, you would have grounds to peacefully dissuade him from raising force against this place.

You are right to think that you could resist any force he did raise, so there is no reason to take this course, but as I argued before, even the cost of successfully resisting attack may be too high, the death of even one of the 'Quessir is not worth the deaths of men, no matter how many.

He has agreed to meet at the inn to discuss this matter, bringing only himself and two retainers. You would equally be obliged to bring two armed escorts with yourself. Arthur, myself and another companion, Lawrence Boomingham paladin of heroica, would act as neutral witnesses and be ready to forstall any violence and prevent any treachery they might attempt.

Will you come to this meeting and measure for yourself how much these men might be trusted?

[Brickdoctor]

My Lady. My companion does not, as he said, speak our tongue. If it please you I will speak in this tongue that he might follow our conversation.

This morning I met with a Master Shawe, agent of the House of Shadaeux, self styled leader of the 'resistance'. He commands the loyalty of a handful of soldiers and more of he townsfolk. From what I have seen I do not consider him a threat to your home here in the keep and I am not entirely certain of his motives. He can, I believe, be used.

By contributing to his campaign against the Pongcanae, you would have grounds to peacefully dissuade him from raising force against this place.

You are right to think that you could resist any force he did raise, so there is no reason to take this course, but as I argued before, even the cost of successfully resisting attack may be too high, the death of even one of the 'Quessir is not worth the deaths of men, no matter how many.

He has agreed to meet at the inn to discuss this matter, bringing only himself and two retainers. You would equally be obliged to bring two armed escorts with yourself. Arthur, myself and another companion, Lawrence Boomingham paladin of heroica, would act as neutral witnesses and be ready to forstall any violence and prevent any treachery they might attempt.

Will you come to this meeting and measure for yourself how much these men might be trusted?

"Isaac Shawe of the Shadeaux, yes, I remember him. Lord Keveak, Lord Davril, and I met him in this very village, just before the Lions murdered Lord Keveak in Bric'lin and started their war with us while we were meeting with the Hinckwells. Shawe seemed harmless then, just a guide for a party of heroes. Very well, I will come. I need no protection in battle, so I will come with two of my advising leaders."

[Sandy]

The Party at the Warehouses:

Using the Magnifying Glass, you do not discover any traps, but the door is locked.

Ellaria tuts in disappointment.

"Our luck be damned, it's locked! Well, I guess there's no way around it... Come, let us visit the people inside that other warehouse."

Ellaria walks into the second warehouse alone.

"Oh! I'm sorry, gentlemen! I got a little lost, it seems... I'm looking for the knights of Patuqun, do you happen to know anything about them?" she flashes the men her most endearing smile.

[Wedge09]

Alexander follows Ellaria the second warehouse but he remains with Ahvialyn outside the warehouse, ready to ener in case of problem. When he heard Ellaria, makink the lost girl, he is unable to keep from giggling.

[Duvors]

"Isaac Shawe of the Shadeaux, yes, I remember him. Lord Keveak, Lord Davril, and I met him in this very village, just before the Lions murdered Lord Keveak in Bric'lin and started their war with us while we were meeting with the Hinckwells. Shawe seemed harmless then, just a guide for a party of heroes. Very well, I will come. I need no protection in battle, so I will come with two of my advising leaders."

"The Lions did not murder anyone, Keveak was killed by agents of this same Shawe to provoke a war, a war for profit."

Throlar looked at Lady Calaryl "What are you? Not what is your name and title, I do not ask who is your family, I do not ask of what you have done, I ask what You are, your soul, your spirit, I ask, what are you?"

Throlar paused.

"You are marble, a stone, you will not die, you will wear away into nothing, you will end alone and forgotten, you are a small thing, you can not see past prejudice, you are no elf."

Throlar turns and leaves, stopping before the door for a second before saying "Time and tide wait for no man, and in the end, they wear all things away."

[Brickdoctor]

Ellaria walks into the second warehouse alone.

"Oh! I'm sorry, gentlemen! I got a little lost, it seems... I'm looking for the knights of Patuqun, do you happen to know anything about them?" she flashes the men her most endearing smile.

You bumble into the second warehouse, intent on looking lost, and nearly impale yourself on a sword pointed at the door. The bearded knight uses the tip of his blade to push you back, as you catch a glimpse of the warehouse: lit by a single candle, another knight sitting at an overturned crate, eating food from a still-steaming pan. The scent of roasted meat fills the warehouse.

"That's far enough.

"I told you someone would find us with your insistence on enjoying a nobleman's meal in here."

"Relax, it's just a harmless traveler."

The long-haired knight stands and faces the door.

"If you seek the Knights of Patuqun, you have found two of us. I am Sir Abârlômi, and this my former squire, Sir Zigirôhîn."

[Zepher]

QM Note:

Oh...MegaBloks. I used the Duke's avatar, but I wrote it as if it were Shawe, but you're addressing the Duke. One moment.

The Party at the Inn:

"Cooperation is my mission here. I am inexperienced in dealing with the factions of these lands. I trust Sir Isaac's decisions, but I would value the opinion of another citizen of Eubric and the Free Islands like yourself. And I am only here as part of a negotiation and scouting envoy — I have but four knights with me — so any assistance would doubtless be greatly appreciated. As for the Pongcanae, if those who dwell near our kingdom are any indication, reasoning with them is in vain."

"I understand that it may be hard to believe based on what I have done to Heroica in the past, but I am not a warmonger. I merely see little reason to trust the elves and even less reason to speak to the Pogs at all. But if you are willing and capable of arranging such meetings, and if you will grant me the trust and security to bring a couple of my men, then I have no objection."

"You have my support, Duke, provided that you are a man of your word," Boomingham affirms sternly, and then bursts into laughter. "Of course, I have no reason to believe that you are not, so I don't foresee a problem. If you value the opinion of the citizens and offer your protection to them, I will treat you in the same way. Should you terrorize them," Boomingham shrugs, "I'll treat you in the same way."

Boomingham then turns to Shawe. "For a man who is not a warmonger, you talk about how you started a war quite a bit. I hadn't heard a thing about it until I met you, and now it seems to be about all I hear. As for dealing with the Pogs... as I said, that is Lady Nerwen's idea, not mine." Boomingham eyes the inn keeper. "We should have met in the tavern, I'm sure House Shadeaux would have treated us to drinks as we entreated."

[Brickdoctor]

The Party at the Inn:

"You have my support, Duke, provided that you are a man of your word," Boomingham affirms sternly, and then bursts into laughter. "Of course, I have no reason to believe that you are not, so I don't foresee a problem. If you value the opinion of the citizens and offer your protection to them, I will treat you in the same way. Should you terrorize them," Boomingham shrugs, "I'll treat you in the same way."

"Perhaps I have not made my mission clear enough; I apologize — I will not have any role in ruling this village. Patuqun offers only military support to the resistance in exchange for their assistance in infiltrating the lair of the Dread Pirate Indiacca and, ah, permanently removing him from his position of leadership."

The Party in the Keep:

"The Lions did not murder anyone, Keveak was killed by agents of this same Shawe to provoke a war, a war for profit."

Throlar looked at Lady Calaryl "What are you? Not what is your name and title, I do not ask who is your family, I do not ask of what you have done, I ask what You are, your soul, your spirit, I ask, what are you?"

Throlar paused.

"You are marble, a stone, you will not die, you will wear away into nothing, you will end alone and forgotten, you are a small thing, you can not see past prejudice, you are no elf."

Throlar turns and leaves, stopping before the door for a second before saying "Time and tide wait for no man, and in the end, they wear all things away."

"And this is where the arrogance of men and dwarves causes them to fail. We elves have no desire to be recognized by others; we do not mind being alone, but we will fight if our territory is encroached upon. This is where Lord Keveak failed; he believed that an offensive strike was what was necessary to send the message that the elves were unhappy with all the new peoples settling on Uland.

"Perhaps time does not wait for men or dwarves, but it waits far longer for the elves."

[Zepher]

"Ah, but my Duke, by throwing any military assistance any which way, you ARE having a role in the course that this city takes. You back the resistance, for whatever reason - but you back it, and that makes you have a decisive effect on the fate of this village, and, quite possibly, Uland, Olegia. You know."

[Brickdoctor]

"Ah, but my Duke, by throwing any military assistance any which way, you ARE having a role in the course that this city takes. You back the resistance, for whatever reason - but you back it, and that makes you have a decisive effect on the fate of this village, and, quite possibly, Uland, Olegia. You know."

"What I mean to say is that once any new government is set up, I will have to return to Patuqun with my escorting knights. We did, of course, consider all our other options for allies as well as the goals of the resistance before agreeing to meet with Sir Isaac to finalize our treaty of alliance with the resistance."

[Duvors]

"And this is where the arrogance of men and dwarves causes them to fail. We elves have no desire to be recognized by others; we do not mind being alone, but we will fight if our territory is encroached upon. This is where Lord Keveak failed; he believed that an offensive strike was what was necessary to send the message that the elves were unhappy with all the new peoples settling on Uland.

"Perhaps time does not wait for men or dwarves, but it waits far longer for the elves."

"Time waits for none, and all things die, you are arrogant, you will die, and you will die alone, for those who scorn help and will not help others will have no help when they need it, all things need help with something, fools are those who say otherwise, you will die a forsaken, arrogant fool."

Throlar leaves the keep.

[Chromeknight]

Nerwen gasps at the shouty rudeness of the dwarf. Beware indeed.

She bowed low and spoke, lapsing into quenya in her mild distress

Many apologies my lady, such as they are. I bear some responsibility for the stumpy one. His words are hollow and false.

She drew breath, calming herself. Returning to speaking common,

I am glad that you have chosen to meet. Perhaps you might think of it as gardening. Training plants that grow outside your window to bend into harmonious and pleasing shapes. And removing weeds that spoil plants that bear fruits. No one fears that plants will quickly tear down a wall. But equally, an untended garden is not a joy to the soul.

[Flipz]

Arthur cannot understand the dwarf's speech, but he can tell that the dwarf had fouled up their mission somehow. "Lady Nerwen, I believe a translation would be in order."

Arthur grabs Throlar by the collar of his shirt of mail and drags the Knight to him as he bends over, forcing the dwarf to look him in the eye. "I do not know what your game is, dwarf, but if you've sabotaged us or our mission in any way, I will personally see to it that you pay for it," he hisses. "Permanently."

He releases the dwarf roughly, then turns his head over his shoulder and spits one final insult at the retreating figure's back: "Aucë!"

[Duvors]

Arthur cannot understand the dwarf's speech, but he can tell that the dwarf had fouled up their mission somehow. "Lady Nerwen, I believe a translation would be in order."

Arthur grabs Throlar by the collar of his shirt of mail and drags the Knight to him as he bends over, forcing the dwarf to look him in the eye. "I do not know what your game is, dwarf, but if you've sabotaged us or our mission in any way, I will personally see to it that you pay for it," he hisses. "Permanently."

He releases the dwarf roughly, then turns his head over his shoulder and spits one final insult at the retreating figure's back: "Aucë!"

(OCC; You do mean the blue bits, right? Cause that was the only time I wasn't speaking in common.)

"Gausari trevamor di sarani, ash gravoul di zargas-mar!"

Throlar turns back to the group with eyes of fire, "I speak the truth, I do not lie, be thankful that I am exercising great restraint, for you would not believe what would happen to you if I wasn't!"

Throlar looks at Nerwen.

"One mans weed is another mans flower, I do not like gardens, they stifle the souls of the plants, they are a breeding ground for plants that destroy other plants, apply to our situation."

Throlar leaves the keep and goes to the stables to feed the horses.

(OCC; I swear, if anyone says anything to me right now...)

[Sandy]

The long-haired knight stands and faces the door.

"If you seek the Knights of Patuqun, you have found two of us. I am Sir Abârlômi, and this my former squire, Sir Zigirôhîn."

Ellaria continues smiling, despite the sword pointed at her throat.

"Oh good, it turns out I wasn't lost after all, then! I am a member of the resistance, you see, and Sir Isaac Shawe told me to come ask you if there's anything you need. We have to make you boys feel welcome if you are to make a new settlement here."

Ellaria feels the men suddenly looking at her funny, and realizes what her white lie had sounded like. She was all too familiar with that look the men got.

"Oh, I didn't mean that I was here to cater for your every need! Just... some more food, maybe? Information? Messages to Sir Shawe?"

She prayed Sylvania that Alexander and Ahvialyn were still outside, for if the men had gotten the wrong impression, she might be in some deep trouble...

[Chromeknight]

Raising an eyebrow at the 'ambassador's' outburst, Nerwen watches him leave.

After he is out of earshot she says

Again. My apologies. He appears to be pursuing an agenda of his own. We will speak to him sternly about that.

The day is wearing on. We should leave for the meeting. Are you prepared?

Nerwen turns to leave If Lady Calaryl is ready.