Ye Olde Adventure Worlde session 49

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Summary

May hold council before departing for Amanya Hatal territory. Laris and Saḫḫiru discuss home defenses. May, Korivan and Eyllia talk on the boat.. The Iron Drake is stopped by the Curadh and asked to pay a toll to pass freely through the swamplands. Grahm asks Laris about support for the Houses of Elemental Order. Roimë meets May and her delegation and offers her hospitality, at least temporarily, for her daughter's return.

Session

Session date: 2019-12-22

In Game date:

May's council

* May will wait for everyone to be seated and welcome them.
<May> Thank you, everyone for coming to this meeting.
* NPC2 is now known as Kryx
* Kryx nods.
* Kryx is now known as Iowa
<Iowa> My husband tells me we have a lot to prepare for.
* Korivan more or less listens
<May> Yes. We all do.
<May> I was hoping to lead a delegation to the Amanya Hatal to request their aid in the coming difficulties. I was hoping that you all would come with me or send representatives do show a united front.
<May> If we can show Roime that we are serious then she may be more easily persuaded.
<Korivan> Persuaded.... to do what? @_@
<May> To help us.
<May> Right now we need all the allies we can get.
<Iowa> Against your own people?
<May> (Is Yula here or did she leave already?)
<YOAW_Narrator> (I was just checking, but, yes, I believe she is here.)
<May> The people of this city and its allies are my people.
<May> Anything that threatens it... is not.
<Iowa> I didn't mean this as an insult.
<Iowa> I'm just not sure I understand.
<Iowa> They are imperials, too, aren't they?
* Iowa is now known as Urath
* Korivan will see how May handles this
<May> They were. The Empire is gone. They believe they are its inheritors. I disagree.
<May> This city has the potential to be something new. Something above empire. I won't let it fall to the forces of a dead idea.
* Sahhiru is now known as Kryx
<Kryx> Above empire?
<Kryx> What does that mean?
* Korivan frowns at that
<May> It means that we are not conquerors and tyrants. We are here together as friends, in peace. We are allies, not vassals. And I believe we are stronger because of that.
* Urath is now known as Iowa
* Iowa nods.
<Iowa> Roime will be hard to convince.
* Kryx is now known as Yula
<May> Yes. That's why I need help.
<Yula> You are right. But she must be, or we will all fall.
* Iowa is now known as Urath
<Urath> I cannot pretend to know your ways, but I and my people offer whatever aid we can.
* Urath is now known as Kryx
* Kryx nods.
<Kryx> The Ankai owe a debt. We would see it repaid.
* May nods at each of them, gratefully.
* Korivan nods to her
* Kryx is now known as Iowa
<Korivan> YOu know... we stand with you @_@
<Iowa> And the Katalal as well, of course.
<Eyllia> I've spent my childhood roaming the vast seas, with no one place to rest. My people have finally found a place where we can stop. I would not see that lost so soon.
<May> Thank you. All of you. For my part, I pledge that I will do all I can to protect all of us from this threat, though I know I will need help. Nesu Abamatu does not abandon its allies.
<YOAW_Narrator> You can gather supplies for the trip in the next day, I would think, as set out the day after.
<YOAW_Narrator> Taking the Drake upriver again? Or another ship?
<May> If Eyllia is willing, sure. It'll be faster.
<Eyllia> (its the best ship you got :))
* Eyllia will gladly host the trip on the Drake
* Korivan hates river travel less than ocea, at least
<YOAW_Narrator> I imagine this is new to some of your companions. I doubt Kryx, Urath, or Iowa have been on a boat this size before.
* Eyllia has the nicest room on the ship for anyone interested...wink...wink

Ship friends!

<Korivan> (tthere)
* Korivan will make habit of giving a morning offering to the river for safe passage
<Eyllia> (pooping in the river is not an offering)
<Korivan> (that's not what I was thinking :x)
* May will come out and find you there after dawn and wait for you to finish.
<Korivan> good morning @_@
<May> Morning. Enjoying the cruise?
* Korivan shrugs
* Eyllia will spot the pair and glide over to them
<May> Ahoy Captain.
<Eyllia> Morning and well met
<Korivan> Captain Eyllia
<Eyllia> we're making good time
<May> Yes. Thank you for once again letting us use your ship.
<Eyllia> its good practice on the rivers for the crew.
* Korivan nods to that, still watching out over the river
<May> Hopefully this time no one will try to kill me.
<Korivan> She remembers your fight @_@
<Eyllia> And it's nice to make a good entrance when trying to work out an alliance
<May> True.
<Eyllia> I have cut deep in the water
* Eyllia will look away for a moment back up river towards the sea
* May seems a bit distracted and maybe worried.
<May> Do you think this will work?
<Eyllia> How do you plan to approach Roime?
<May> The same way I approach everything. Face first.
<Eyllia> what are we offering? Are we offering anything?
* Laris (Curtana@d24-55-209-79.home4.cgocable.net) has joined #YOAW
<May> Friendship. If she wants more then we'll need to negotiate, but this is a threat to her too. Hopefully she'll see the wisdom in it.
* Eyllia nods
<Korivan> Alliance....for a specific goal...
<Korivan> that may appeal more
<Eyllia> There is alot to friendship. Defense and trade, for example.
<Korivan> Coordination...for defense
<May> I'll take what I can get.
<Korivan> They don't need.. our trade
<Korivan> Focus on the common...threat @_@
* May nods.
<Eyllia> We'll just have to wait and see how she reacts to that, I guess.
* May sighs.
<May> I'm... scared I'm going to fuck this up.
<Eyllia> you're not alone in this. You have friends to help. That's why you have alliances
* May smiles.
* Korivan nods, a little absently, listening to other voices, probably
<May> I'm glad I have friends with me.
<Eyllia> I may not be the best diplomate our there, but I have some training in negotiations... my mother made sure of that.
<May> Sahirru tried to train me in it but... it never really stuck all that well. I was a poor student.
<Eyllia> I just have a habit of leading withmy sword
<Korivan> :|
<Eyllia> you sell yourself short, May. You've obviously picked up a thing or two, and are definitely clever enough to pick up a few more.
<May> Thanks. I guess I have picked up a few things. I never thought I would be any good at this job, but... I guess it's growing on me.
<Eyllia> The group you have with you came because you asked them to. Yes we all have our own interests, but were all here the same.
<May> I really do think this is the start of something new... if we all survive of course.
<Eyllia> keep that in the back of your mind. It will help you.
* Eyllia will take May's hand
* May smiles.
<May> Thank you.
* Korivan nods
* May will also take Korivan's hand.
<Korivan> YOu are stronger than you credit yourself for @_@
* Korivan looks down when you do that as if confused, but doesn't object or anything
<May> We can do this.
* Eyllia nods
<Eyllia> Korivan's words can use some work, but I know his grunts are very encouraging
<May> He has other assets.
* May smirks.
* Korivan grins

Laris and Sahhiru plan

* Sahhiru will come find Laris after the diplomatic Council of Elrond meeting :p
<Sahhiru> Well, everyone has agreed to accompany her.
* Laris nods
<Laris> I hope it goes well.
* Sahhiru nods.
<Sahhiru> I don't like not going, but I can't be everywhere at once.
<Sahhiru> Never picked up that trick. ;)
* Laris smiles
<Laris> They'll manage.
<Sahhiru> Nine, I hope so.
<Sahhiru> It will be a difficult fight, even with the Amanya Hatal.
* Laris nods
<Sahhiru> I've been thinking. Is there any chance of treating with the orcs? Not the ones you ran into, of course, but there are many tribes in the mountains.
<Laris> Maybe? I don't know enough about their allegiances - are they strongly loyal or could some of them be persuaded to defect, or at least not engage?
<Sahhiru> My understanding is they're very loyal...to their own clans.
<Sahhiru> The don't have an overarching tribe like the Osoro were or the Amanya Hatal are.
* Laris considers
<Laris> What sort of persuasion would be effective on them? Are they most interested in land? livestock? trade goods? access to some particular resources?
<Sahhiru> I suppose the question is what can we offer them that won't be detrimental to our interests in the long run. I'm sure what they want most from us is weapons.
<Sahhiru> But, obviously, that's less than ideal long term.
* Laris nods
<Sahhiru> May's right not to want to reproduce empire. It lacks long term stability.
<Laris> It's difficult to preserve such an arrangement, especially between so many different factions.
<Sahhiru> Lately I've been considering the Thantopolitan model.
<Laris> oh?
<Laris> It does have the stability factor going for it.
<Sahhiru> Democracy is...inelegant, but it might prove tenable with the right guiding hand.
* Laris nods
<Laris> The Thantopolitan model relies on that guidance coming from longer-lived elders - those who have experience and wisdom to provide oversight.
<Laris> In our case, that often means undead, but it doesn't need to.
<Sahhiru> Well, I should hope that can be provided.
* Sahhiru smiles.
<Sahhiru> "Longer-lived" is relative.
<Laris> True.
<Sahhiru> Provided we survive the next few...years, possibly, I'd enjoy the settled squabbling of an elected body, I think.
* Laris chuckles at that
<Laris> It might be relaxing.
* Longpig (Longpig@dhcp-198-2-104-116.cable.user.start.ca) has joined #gnomeland
* ChanServ sets mode: +o Longpig
<Sahhiru> I'll fool myself into thinking it's lower stakes.
<Sahhiru> Lower than this, certainly.
* Sahhiru sighs.
<Sahhiru> We haven't even properly mapped the mountains.
<Sahhiru> We need to know where we can place troops to hold off an attack.
<Sahhiru> All without them getting stabbed in the back by orcs.
<Laris> We could ask Gladius if he might be willing to do some sightseeing. I know he won't engage in an attack, but maybe this would be sufficiently non-combative for him to see the use of it?
<Sahhiru> It's worth a try, I believe.
<Laris> Very well. I can speak with him, if you think it's worthwhile.
<Sahhiru> You are a prince among men.
* Sahhiru smiles.
* Laris chuckles
* Iowa (webchat@199.38.187.252) Quit (Quit: webchat.esper.net)
<Laris> I thought we weren't recreating an empire. But if you're giving out titles, I suppose that's acceptable ;)
* Sahhiru chuckles.
<Sahhiru> Theoretically, I have no authority to give out titles, so you'll have to settle for...other considerations. ;)
<Laris> I suppose I can accept that.
* Laris says with a smile.
* Sahhiru will raise an eyebrow and smile.
* Laris is willing to be distracted from real work for a little while ;)

The delegation is stopped by the Curadh

<YOAW_Narrator> On the second day of your trip, you'll be...not stopped, as you could ram through, but there are Curadh boat (their large canoes) rowing towards you from upriver. They're blocking the way, and armed, but don't appear immediately hostile.
* Eyllia will bring the drake to a relative stop to aid in communications
* Sahhiru is now known as Curadh
<YOAW_Narrator> One of them will break and paddle towards the Drake.
<Korivan> (They'r allies of the AH, right?)
<May> I had to open my mouth...
<Curadh> Greetings, imperials!
* Curadh will shout up.
* Korivan looks to May
<May> Greetings, though we do not speak for Turath.
<Curadh> Who does?
<Curadh> It's dead, isn't it?
<May> Exactly.
<Curadh> But you *are
* imperials.
<May> We are from Nesu Abamatu and its allies. You may call us whatever you like.
* Curadh probably doesn't have to shout too much. They'll come up to the ship and the verbeeg are tall, plus their voices carry.
* Korivan frowns at that
<Korivan> (At the Curadh, not May)
<Curadh> And we are from the Curadh, and her allies.
<Curadh> Are you lost?
* Yula (webchat@199.38.187.252) has joined #gnomeland
<May> I hope not. We are on our way to see The leader of the Amanya Hatal. We are on a diplomatic mission.
<Curadh> I've heard nothing of such, nor of a request to cross our lands.
<Yula> Aengus, son of Aengus, you know damn well they're not lost, and I'd bet you know exactly why we're here!
* Yula yells over the side.
* Curadh is now known as Aengus
<Aengus> Oh. Yula...ah.
* Yula smirks.
<Yula> Stop trying to make trouble and let us pass.
<Korivan> hmm.
* Korivan glowers quietly
<Aengus> Apologies. Though it is customary to pay for passage through our lands.
<Yula> Not for me, it's not, and these people are with me.
<Aengus> There are rather a lot of them, Yula...
* Yula (webchat@199.38.187.252) Quit (Client Quit)
<May> What is the customary toll?
<Korivan> We have paid... the river @_@
<Aengus> Aye, and now you'll pay the mire.
* Aengus makes a show of looking over the Drake.
* Korivan looks out across into the swamplands
<Aengus> A deer per boat, though I'd say this boat counts for more.
<Aengus> Ten bars of iron, say?
* Yula (webchat@199.38.187.252) has joined #gnomeland
<Yula> Bandit!
* Aengus shrugs.
* Eyllia will peer over the side of the deck
<Korivan> (how hostile are the spirits here?)
<Eyllia> I can't have bandits accosting my ship
<Eyllia> it would be unseemly
<YOAW_Narrator> (The spirits are kind of passively hostile)
<YOAW_Narrator> (Much like an alligator ;) )
<May> We don't have that. And even if we did, it's an exorbitant fee. We want no trouble with you, or your people, but we will defend this boat. And If you try to stop our passing, Roime will be told why.
* lan-phone (uid135102@id-135102.brockwell.irccloud.com) Quit (Quit: Connection closed for inactivity)
<Korivan> (generaly hostile or hostile to us specifically?)
<YOAW_Narrator> (You specifically)
* Aengus seems to consider.
<Aengus> Got a deer?
<Aengus> Or equivalent?
* Yula huffs.
* May smirks.
<Aengus> Gotta observe the niceties, at least.
<May> I'm sure we can find something.
* Eyllia looks a little disappointed but will turn to May
<May>
<w> Better to let them save face.
<Eyllia> could spare a barrel of rum... probably weighs the same and they may be more appreciative
<May> You guys like booze?
<Aengus> We could be persuaded to accept it as substitute, sure.
* May smiles.
<May> We'll send it down.
<May> Thank you, Eyllia, I'll pay you back personally when we get back to town.
<Eyllia> sure thing
* Eyllia will get a barrel tied up to a boom and lowered down.
* Aengus will accept the barrel with a smile.
* Eyllia will hop on the barrel and ride it down
* Aengus looks surprised.
<Eyllia> just wanted to meet you face to face, thats all
<Aengus> Well, not exactly face to "face", are we?
* Aengus looks down at Eyllia.
<Eyllia> close enough
<Aengus> You've paid for passage. You're welcome to our hospitality if you like, darlin'. Though you might find the accommodations a bit...big.
* Yula huffs again.
<Eyllia> This ship is the Emerald Drake, and she's mine. I'm Eyllia D'Azzure, her captain.
* Yula shakes her head.
<Eyllia> Show some respect the next time you see her
<Aengus> These are Curadh lands, and they're ours. Show some respect next time you see them.
* Eyllia will cut the barrel free
<Aengus> And I'm Aengus, by the way.
<Eyllia> I heard the name
* Aengus will dart forward to catch it, with little effort and impressive show of balance.
<Aengus> And now I've heard yours. I'm sure we'll be fast friends.
<Eyllia> I'm someone you want as a friend.
* Eyllia winks
* Aengus grins.
* Eyllia will let herself be hauled back up
<Yula> (to May)
<Yula> I'm sorry about him.
* Aengus will wave to his folk and they'll clear out of the Drake's way.
<May> No apologies needed. If all this trip costs us is a barell of rum, we'll be doing well.
<Yula> Do you have a second one? He'll try the same on your way back.
* May laughs
<May> I'm sure we'll figure something out.
<Eyllia> If he asks around, he might change his mind. Last time I came up a river I left an impression.
<Yula> I heard.
<Yula> Though, that was outside their territory. And the mire is...unforgiving.
<May> Let's try to stay on its good side, then.
* Korivan nods

Grahm comes to Laris for assistance

* Grahm will track down Laris, let's say in his office/quarters
* Grahm knocks.
<Laris> Come in.
* Grahm does so.
<Grahm> Lugal, I was hoping for a moment of your time.
<Laris> Of course. What can I do for you?
<Grahm> I wanted to ask about assistance in repelling these attacks on the islands.
<Grahm> Well, on ships in the area.
* Laris nods, listening
<Grahm> I believe Captain D'Azzure discussed it with Lady Lalu.
<Laris> Are you asking for assistance from Nesu Abamatu, or from me specifically?
* Grahm frowns in thought for a moment.
<Grahm> I believe from Nesu Abamatu.
<Grahm> Though we'll accept what help is offered.
* Laris nods
<Laris> It's likely it would involve my ships either way - I just wanted to be clear on whose authority they would be acting on.
<Grahm> I'm still finding my footing in this capacity. What would it mean either way?
<Laris> It would affect who needs to give permission for things, and who gets what share of any resulting goods or ships that might be seized, I suppose.
* Grahm nods.
<Laris> Did you have a specific plan of attack in mind? or some idea of how to best approach the problem?
<Grahm> We have no issue granting seizure rights in any case.
* Laris nods
* Laris is mostly curious what he'll say - he can come up with a plan if needs be, but wants to see what this kid can do ;)
<Grahm> I believe the Houses have been holding to defensive patrols. We've yet to be able to determine a way to predict the attacks.
<Grahm> I am not a military strategist, but I don't believe patrols will be effective in the long term.
<Laris> No pattern to them, or obvious targets they choose to attack?
<Grahm> They do not solve the problem.
<Laris> No, indeed.
<Grahm> We know what they seek, but are having difficulty locating them ourselves.
<Grahm> What we have identified has been stockpiled in Hearthspire.
<Grahm> Perhaps some sort of trap?
<Laris> what do you know so far about the nature of the attacks?
<Grahm> They strike quickly, through portals. They seem only tangentially interested in salvage. They seem to take it if possible, but they focus on their specific quarry, these fragments they seek.
* Laris nods
<Laris> What weapons do they usually use? Are they armored, or do they eschew defense in favour of speed?
<Grahm> The ships or their crew, sir?
<Laris> Either.
* lan-phone (uid135102@id-135102.brockwell.irccloud.com) has joined #gnomeland
<Grahm> Their ships are fast, and well-armed. Their crews are well-armored, but reportedly heedless of danger. Or, at least, willing to spend their lives.
* Laris nods
<Laris> Have your willworkers some insight into the portals? Perhaps there might be a way to prevent them from coming through, or at least to detect it before they do so?
<Grahm> We've been working on it, but it's proving difficult. We have little experience auguring the supernal realms.
<Laris> That is not my area of expertise either, but it might be something others among us can assist with.
* Grahm nods.
<Grahm> That would be appreciated.
<Laris> In the meanwhile, I can at least lend some ships to your patrol efforts. If we learn more, at least they'll already be in the area.
* Grahm smiles seriously and nods.
<Grahm> Thank you.
<Laris> Of course. We value the assistance your people have provided us in the past, and are glad to help however we can.
* Grahm looks like he's going to leave, but pauses.
<Grahm> Lugal, in relation to this matter, I had been thinking...
<Laris> Yes?
<Grahm> This is not a short-term consideration, but my people have, if you'll forgive me, superior ship builders. For a long time, we've had little access to proper lumber and made do with repairs. Of course, we've also only had so much crew available. I thought, perhaps with this alliance, and new access to the proper resources, we might be able to collab
<Grahm> orate on enlarging both our fleets.
* Laris nods
<Laris> As you say - it would be a long-term endeavour, but there would certainly be benefits to doing so, for all parties concerned. We can make our facilities and lumber available to your shipbuilders, and perhaps the price might be set at them building a ship for our fleet for each of their own that they build, if you would find that fair.
<Grahm> I will take it to the House council.
<Laris> I understand. We can negotiate over the finer details, but I think as a general plan, it makes sense.
* Grahm nods.
<Grahm> The Houses have learned a hard lesson in strength through unity,
<Laris> I hope that this experience has led to a beneficial alliance for us both.
<Grahm> Thank you for your time.
* Grahm will actually head out then.
<Laris> . o O (What a sensible young fellow.)

The delegation is me by Roime

<YOAW_Narrator> You arrive at the edge of the Amanya Hatal's lands, hilly/mountainous forests. The Drake has gone as far upriver as it can go. It will be overland from here in.
* Yula makes sure to step foot off the Drake first.
<Grahm> There's a small village where you can dock, though it doesn't look like most of the structures are permanent.
<Grahm> (ww)
<YOAW_Narrator> (But you get it)
* May will make sure that we leave some guards with the ship and crew, just in case.
<Eyllia> Don't worry Lysa will keep good care of the Drake for us
* Grahm (webchat@199.38.187.252) Quit (Quit: webchat.esper.net)
<Yula> The Amanya Hatal recognize the Lalu people and their allies, and wish them peace so long as they abide it.
<May> I understand. We will do nothing to break that peace. Still, I would rest easier if there are a few guards left. There are more worries out here than the Amanya Hatal.
* Yula nods.
* lan-phone is now known as Koriphone
<Yula> The formalities must be observed. We are a traditional people.
<Koriphone> (how do the spirits seem here?)
<YOAW_Narrator> (Powerful)
<May> Of course.
<Koriphone> (nice)
* Yula will lead the way, up a path along the river, higher into the mountains.
<Koriphone> (probably make them so.e kind of welcome offering too. Hope they like blood and smoke)
<May> Is there anything I should know before meeting your mother?
<YOAW_Narrator> (Heh, they don't *not
* like them)
* Yula considers.
<Yula> Address her as Roime, one ruler to another. She will respect that.
* May nods.
<Yula> Do not mention Athrennar or the Vanilorrans.
<Yula> Unless absolutely necessary.
<Yula> She values directness.
<May> Good. Then I may have a chance after all.
* Yula nods.
<YOAW_Narrator> Several times, you'll hear horns echo around you. As you reach a narrowing of the pass, you'll see ahead that a contingent of elves awaits.
* Roime (webchat@199.38.187.252) has joined #gnomeland
* Roime stands surrounded by soldiers. She is dressed in leather, vine, and wood armor, carrying a spear with carved runes and designs running along it. She shows her age for an elduar, a certain otherworldliness, as though not completely mortal any longer.
* Roime regards you all impassively.
* May will step forward.
<May> Greetings Roime of the Amanya Hatal. I am Mamitu Lalu of Nesu Abamatu. These are my friends and allies.
* Roime nods.
<Roime> Greetings, Mamitu Lalu of Nesu Abamatu. My family and I welcome you to our lands.
* Roime spares a look at Yula.
<Roime> Why have you come?
<May> We have come for two reasons. First to see your daughter home to you safely and second.. to ask you for aid in the coming battle.
* Roime looks at Yula again.
<Roime> The coming battle? My daughter's fever dream?
<May> It is not a dream. Or at least not an idle one. It has been confirmed from several unrelated sources. There is a great beast coming.
<Roime> What great beast?
<May> We believe it is the powerful remnants of a Turathi house that looks to take our lands for their own. After that, who knows how far they will spread, but your territory will be next in line.
<Roime> Are they so different from you? Your people are already spreading through the valley.
<May> I am Turathi by birth, yes, but that empire is dead. Some say it was destroyed by its own greed. That is not who I am, and it is not what I want for my people. I do not wish to rule you, or anyone here. Those who accompany me are friends, not subjects. Those who are coming cling to the old ideas of empire.
* Roime frowns, considering.
* Roime sighs.
<Roime> We will speak more of this. Please, let us offer you our hospitality, if for nothing more than bringing my daughter safely home.
<May> Thank you.
* Roime will direct her soldiers to lead you to accommodations nearby. It turns out to be a defensive position/living space carved into the mountain, overlooking the river, with some strong timber additions. It's difficult to see from the path, or, really, even until you get right up on it.