Elfgame Episode 2

[17:12] <Tim> The rumbling wheels of the caravan bite deep into the Blue Serpent road, easily keeping their grip on the seemingly smooth scales.  Although the stone looks almost slick, the color bright and fresh as if it had just been laid, it never seems to become dangerously slippery in the spring rains, as other roads do, or flood.  Which is odd, since the Mellouk wagon the emissary was traveling in...
[17:12] <Tim> ...was found in a ditch.  Perhaps it is the enchantments laid upon the ancient causeway, or perhaps simply the more mundane sorcery of superb craftsmanship and pride taken in one's work.  Ereth and the guards under his command keep a sharp eye out, regardless of Yaenger's promises, scanning the horizon in an unhurried, yet alert manner.  Although desertfolk and originally unused to life in...
[17:12] <Tim> ...the pastoral Marches, they have adapted well to it, although occasionally cultures clash.  They are proud elves, the scions of an ancient people, and although their exile has tempered that pride somewhat, it has also sharpened it.  They still dress in the desert manner, and carry the traditional curved sandworm-tooth swords.  While the drivers focus on the road, the copper-haired...
[17:12] <Tim> ...Short-Ear female from Farls sits between Sariel and Idir on the bench, asking questions, “...So, you are members of the Bluebell Town Council?  I confess, I really hadn't expected you to be so..." She looks over at Lestari, "Martial.  I heard that your town was run by an old female and two old males.”
[17:16] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "Well, that was true, yes, but the vote was earlier today," Nienna explains.
[17:18] <Lestari> "Yeah. I guess a lot of people liked the design of my Sword, or something. I thought Wayland would win, myself..."
[17:18] <Tim> "As you said, as you said, I just think it's interesting." She smiles, and carefully adjusts her hair, "You're certainly braver than those...those...those craven dogs who ran off when the satyrs came." She sniffs angrily at the memory, wrinkling her nose.
01[17:18] <@Idir_Haida> "They /ran/?!"
03[17:18] * Idir_Haida sets mode: -o Idir_Haida
[17:19] <Sariel> "Ah? They must been scared, is normal! Satyrs are being very scary!"
[17:20] <Lestari> "Satyrs? Scary? Really?" Lestari asks, tilting her head as she looks at Sariel and listens to the conversation. She doesn't understand why someone would be scared of something so silly, when there are much worse out there...
[17:21] <Tim> "Well, yes.  There was this huge brute of a satyr with black fur, and he bleated at them, and then they heard bleating from all around, and one of them SHOVED ME BACK DOWN AND THEY RAN OFF!" Her ears stand up with indignation, "They...they weren't YOUR employees, were they, Councilor?  You do seem to be dressed awfully alike.  If they are, you should have them sacked!"
[17:21] <Tim> "I tried to take the reigns myself, but...well...the horses didn't want to listen to me...and then there was this ditch..."
06[17:22] * Idir_Haida thinks deeply, wheels turning in his mind. "Hm? No, of course not, they were affiliated with House Mellouk. I am the scion of House Haida. Actually though, if you wished, you could bring up their failure and demand compensation for the cowardice of those guards. I would, of course, be available to help make your case..."
[17:23] <Tim> Her ears twitch, and she looks sidelong up at Idir, "Would you truly do that for me?"
01[17:24] <Idir_Haida> "But of course, my pride and reputation as a merchant is hinged on providing goods and services at reasonable prices. One house failing to live up to promises hurts the reputation of all."
[17:31] <Tim> "O-oh, of course." She smiles, "That is only sensible.  I'm Felistree, as I said.  My family owns the largest mill in Farls." She says, with some pride, extending her hand to shake.
06[17:31] * Idir_Haida takes her hand. "Idir Haida, Merchant Prince of House Haida, and councillor of Bluebell Township."
[17:33] <Tim> Ereth looks at Lestari, and barks with laughter, "Ha, are all of your people as crazy as you?  I don't think you're afraid of anything, Sharkmaiden." The guards laugh and pat her on the back in a congratulatory way.  One of them notices the break in her armor, and hisses, "See that horrible needle-doctor and get that looked at.  Even he is not worse than having the wound go sour."
[17:35] <Lestari> "I suppose i'll get it looked at...Even if it's just because our foes were so dirty and dingy, ehe. Wouldn't wan't to get an infection right after being elected..."
[17:36] <Tim> The wheels rumble on.  Up ahead, there's a menhir, with an arrow pointing down a narrower dirt road.  A bluebell is carved into the menhir, and runes list the distance to Bluebell itself.  Ereth takes note, and taps his employer on the shoulder, "Sir, the horses are thirsty and there is a stream just ahead." He nods to where the meadows thicken into light woodlands on either side of the Blue...
[17:36] <Tim> ...Serpent past the crossroads, "With your permission, may we stop there and water them?"
[17:37] <Tim> "She supposes?  What a terrifying female." One of the guards notes to another.  Meanwhile, Felistree coughs into her hand, and turns to Nienna and Sariel with a frown, "Er...what happened to the satyrs, if I may ask?"
[17:37] <Sariel> "Oh! I was shockings them, yes!
01[17:37] <Idir_Haida> "Permission granted. No need to push anything past the limit."
[17:38] <Sariel> "They do not die! Just be shocked!"
[17:38] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "Ah? They've been handled suitably," Nienna says with a slight grin. "My father always told me that one should never squander a resource. We'll be coming to an agreement to stop their banditry and perhaps get a little profit of our own from the endevour."
[17:41] <Tim> She blinks once or twice, "Oh.  Er, an agreement with...satyrs?"
[17:42] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "They can be bargained with, with the right leverage."
[17:43] <Tim> "Like a storm sylph, yourself." She notices the pick, "And...ah..." She looks over her shoulder, "Her.  Did Prince Idir fight too?"
[17:43] <Tim> The stream is low and wide.  The Blue Serpent, nearly round, scales it without further support, serving as a bridge as readily as a road.  The sunshine gleams off the surface of the shallow water, revealing the  rounded stones beneath and the small fish which scatter as the horses approach.  One of them whickers, and pulls back with its ears up, away from the thin ribbon of blood that flows...
[17:43] <Tim> ...away downstream, away from a huddled figure in tattered black wedged between the shore and the bridge.
01[17:51] <Idir_Haida> "Well, I wonder what that was from?"
06[17:52] * Lestari sees the hudded figure and her eyes narrow a bit. "I'm going to go check." she says, pulling on her mask and grabbing her boomerang. With that, she begins to walk over.
06[17:52] * Nienna_Carnes`ir frowns lightly. She follows Lestari at a light distance. "Someone's hurt..."
[17:54] <Tim> The figure doesn't move, it's swathed in a waterlogged, torn black cloak, beneath which long-toed, tan feet with webbed digits. dangle into the water.  It's huddled beneath the bridge, its body wrapped around something.
[17:55] <Sariel> "Ah! Are you being okay?!" The sylph races over, wings fluttering.
[17:55] <Tim> No answer.
06[17:59] * Nienna_Carnes`ir frowns. She glances to Lestari, and then back to figure. She reaches out a hand to gently touch it, and to see what it might be wrapped around.
[17:59] <Tim> It rolls over, revealing a young Mer male, around Nienna's age, tall and muscled in the lean manner common to those active swimmers.  A torn black cloak with a hood hangs loosely around his neck from a strand of seashells, while a black kilt encloses his upper legs.  His chest is left bare, revealing crude, bloodstained bandages of some kind of waterweed wrapped all around his torso, and a...
[17:59] <Tim> ...long, shallow cut that curls like a snake up along his ribcage, partially exposed.  It must only recently have started bleeding again.  His skin is a pale golden-brown, the color of fine silt, speckled all over with small dots of red, like certain salamanders, and he has the high-reaching, feathery gills of an Inland Sea mer framing his finlike ears, his muddy black hair still partially...
[17:59] <Tim> ...woven into a braid.  He looks to have passed out here, after crawling out of the stream.  Clutched in his arms is a sodden leather bag.
01[18:02] <Idir_Haida> "He seems far from home." He still seems pretty unconcerned.
06[18:03] * Nienna_Carnes`ir frowns. "Far from home and in need of help. We should get him to a doctor, as quickly as we can."
01[18:04] <Idir_Haida> "Well, that'd be one more for the doctor to see then. Let's get him loaded up."
[18:07] <Tim> He's easy enough to move, but doesn't release his grip on the bag, hunching protectively around it even unconscious and bleeding.
[18:41] <Tim> The voyage back to the town is uneventful.  The bridges are still lowered, and Teilros Spine is loitering by the gates, his hands in the pockets of his robe, scowling vigorously at the guards who are trying to surreptitiously enjoy a pitcher of ale and some of Mara's cheesecakes.
06[18:45] * Nienna_Carnes`ir waves to the guards as they head into the town. "How's Bluebell faired while we were away?"
[18:46] <Tim> He hurries down to meet you, "Elder Hanma said there might have been trouble on the road, is the Representative in one piece or not?"  A somewhat sour and antisocial elf, he nonetheless cares deeply about his work, especially in any situation where he can apply his specialty...acupuncture.  He deeply believes in the power of the elvish body to heal itself via manipulation of the internal...
[18:46] <Tim> ...leylines through a deftly-applied needle.
[18:47] <Tim> He's in a better mood than usual, since he wasn't elected.
01[18:47] <Idir_Haida> "The representative is hale, yes. We also found a Mer unconscious in a stream."
[18:49] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "Indeed. I believe Lestari was slightly wounded as well, but she knows her body best. The Mer, on the other hand, is as Idir says, unconcious. ANd the wound looked quite bad."
[18:49] <Tim> "Everyone is getting drunk, imbibing a lot of fatty, unhealthy foods that will cut a century off your lifespan, and otherwise quite frivolous, I suppose the town is faring well.  A...mer?  In a stream?  The stupid sod didn't hit his head on a rock or something, did he?" He hurries around to the wide caravan wheel, and scales it like a ladder, "Thousand Lands!  Lestari, you didn't accidentally cut
[18:49] <Tim> him up, did you?" He fixes a gimlet eye on the island elf.
01[18:52] <Idir_Haida> "Nothing like that. If you can get him awake and speaking, come seek me out."
[18:54] <Lestari> "Y-Yeah, it wasn't me! We found him on our way back."
[18:55] <Tim> "This looks like a sword wound and...oh, well now, so this is how mer make bandages that don't come apart underwater.  Fascinating, I'd always wondered." He produces a small, hooked flint knife from his sleeve, and slices off a piece of the weedy wrapping to study later, putting it into one of the many pockets inside his sleeves.  From another, he draws a thick roll of gauze.  He always...
[18:55] <Tim> ...carries it, fools always seem to get injured inconveniently far from his house, "I'll bandage him up, if your...thugs, minions, bravos, whatever you call them...don't mind carrying him to my house.  Let me make sure he didn't hit his head."  The Short-Ear doctor leans forward, clinically sliding back the Mer's eyelids, then recoiling with a sharp gasp, "His EYES!"
[18:56] <Tim> They're black.  Not just very, very dark brown irises, which isn't all that uncommon, but completely black, as if the pupil had swallowed up the whole of each orb.
06[18:56] * Idir_Haida frowns. He's not a doctor, but that doesn't look right. "Have you heard of anything like this before?"
[18:56] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "What in..." Nienna frowns, concerned.
[19:00] <Tim> "No, no I haven't.  Treesingers' eyes turn green, but it's just the band of color that does it.  Nothing like this.  Perhaps some sort of fae?  He's from one of the marsh tribes that live along the Inland Sea, I've seen them before, and their eyes aren't like this.  Would, um, one of you mind keeping an eye on him this evening?  I'm not really that enthusiastic about...you know...if he wakes...
[19:00] <Tim> ...up.  Wait, have you ever heard of something like this, sorceress?" This he addresses to Sariel.
[19:08] <Sariel> "Am having heard of it, yes" nodding.  Flutter flutter.
06[19:09] * Nienna_Carnes`ir frowns lightly. "The Lay of Eduran had an elf with black eyes, didn't it?"
06[19:13] * Sariel looks at the bag, worriedly.  Hesitantly she pushes it open with a nervous hand.  She does not like this, not one bit!
[19:14] <Tim> There's something black and spiny and hard inside, about the size of a large melon.
[19:14] <Sariel> She looks inside, golden eyes nervous nervous.  Flutter flutter.
[19:16] <Tim> "...Well?"
06[19:16] * Lestari shudders and slowly pulls on her mask. This whole thing is unsettling and she does like the feeling she has.
[19:16] <Sariel> "Am not liking…" shiver.
[19:17] <Sariel> "Is…sign of bad man.  Who killed many people!" she looks agitated, a light wind blowing about her.
[19:20] <Tim> It's...a conch shell.  It's black.  Not black, the way things can be colored black, or the way that black seashells are white beneath when chipped, but pure, smooth black, inside and out, so dark and unreflective that it almost looks two-dimensional, the blunt spines and whorls vanishing when you don't view them in profile.
[19:21] <Sariel> "A-AH!" she almost drops it.
06[19:21] * Nienna_Carnes`ir frowns. "An... interesting way to interpret the tales, as I remember them. But... easy there. What's wrong?"
[19:22] <Sariel> "Looks bad." she shivers.  She puts it down quickly and flutters away from it.
01[19:22] <Idir_Haida> "I'm afraid I'm a bit lost here."
[19:23] <Tim> The Mer stirs uneasily, a look of...discomfort, or perhaps anxiety flickering across his face before he subsides.  Teilros clucks his tongue and sets about disinfecting and wrapping the wound.  Purely first-aid stuff, but he can always do the stitches someplace cleaner than the back of a wagon.
06[19:23] * Nienna_Carnes`ir frowns lightly. "We'll... want to talk to him once he's awake, I think. More than we already did, that is. I believe Sariel has a better handle on what precisley is going on than I do."
[19:25] <Tim> "I'm as lost as you are, Prince Idir." Felistree pokes her nose in, despite Teilros giving her a venomous glance and shooing her back from his patient.
[19:26] <Sariel> "Ah…some?" flutter.  "Not…not like."
[19:30] <Tim> "Can't you discuss this on your way to Elder Hanma?  I was told to send you to her.  Oh no, not that I might be busy with anything.  Or thanked.  Entirely out of the question, that.  My time is of no value, please, waste it as you wish." Teilros grumps under his breath, trimming off the end of the bandage with his knife, "Right, you thugs, get a board under him and follow me." He waves to...
[19:30] <Tim> ...some of the guards.
06[19:31] * Idir_Haida nods to his men. "Go ahead. Once you're done, you're free to rejoin the festivities."
[19:35] <Tim> "And YOU, little miss Councilor!  YOU hurry and see me afterwards as well.  It doesn't look like much but your armor was damaged, but I'll still want to make sure it doesn't fester." The doctor points strictly at Lestari.
06[19:37] * Nienna_Carnes`ir nods. "Good luck, Teilros. And we'll make sure Lestari does what's best for her, don't worry." She steps away from the caravan and waits for the others, to go to the festivities together.
06[19:40] * Idir_Haida watches his guards to make sure it all goes smoothly, before joining Nienna.
02[19:40] * Quits: Sariel (Read@sux-7EAF14BE.nc.res.rr.com) (Connection reset by peer)
03[19:41] * Joins: Read (Read@sux-7EAF14BE.nc.res.rr.com)
03[19:41] * Read is now known as Sariel
[19:41] <Tim> The party is still in full swing as the morning wears on.  Flower garlands have been hung, in honor of the month, music rises here and there from some of the farmers trying their hand at the lute or mandolin, or the honking strains of a gaukhorn.  Vines woven along the flower-buildings of Bluebell town have burst into bloom, star-shaped white and blue flowers appearing seemingly on every...
[19:41] <Tim> ...frond, railing, and balcony, filling the air with a faint, honey-sweet scent of spring.  The crowd has dispersed from around the Municipal Oak, and Mara's Inn is doing a lively business, but Elder Hanma and the representatives from the other towns are nowhere to be seen.  Wayland, a silent, burly Long-Ear whose right arm is noticeably bigger than his left from his years of smithing, spots...
[19:41] <Tim> ...the returning Representative and the Councilors, and points them towards the Council Hut, a dusty flower-house at the end of the concourse, near the Municicpal Oak itself.  It hasn't been used for a while, but Hanma put some younger elves to work cleaning it before the election.
06[19:44] * Nienna_Carnes`ir gives her thanks to Wayland and heads to the Council Hut.
[19:44] <Tim> A decent-sized building, the flower enclosing it seemed rather old and withered before, but it seems less brown than you remember, definitely blue now.  Inside is a simple, spartan room, set with a large, round table and many chairs.  The Representatives are standing and talking to each other, the brothers Gwyn seem to be napping, and Hanma smiles as she sees you return, raising her cane,...
[19:44] <Tim> ..."No troubles, I hope?"
[19:46] <Tim> "My apologies for missing the election, Elder Hanma.  The Free Town of Farls sends its best wishes to the new Councilors of Bluebell, your new members are certainly very heroic, aren't they?" Felistree Ruathe bows politely.
[19:51] <Tim> Hanma's old, green eyes blink once or twice, "Well, I suppose so.  I apologize nobody was there to help you sooner.  What was it, a busted axle?  A bad wheel?" She looks questioningly at the Councilors
01[19:53] <Idir_Haida> "Nothing so mundane, of course. Satyrs seem to have moved into the abandoned farmstead on the outskirts of the township, and some of them turned to banditry."
[19:55] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "Fortunately, we believe we can come to a suitable agreement with them."
[19:56] <Tim> "Oh dear..." Hanma frowns, "What sort of suitable agreement?"
01[19:57] <Idir_Haida> "To put it simply, Bluebell town doesn't have the manpower to man the farms, especially with the casualties that would be incurred forcing them out. So instead, we have decided to allow them to work the farms, and I shall use my trade caravans to take advantage of the fruits of their labors."
[19:59] <Tim> "Hmmm...an...interesting solution.  Not what I would have done, but...it shows creativity, and promise.  You are right, I was worried about how much land was growing fallow, and we could use that many more strong backs.  Besides, I'm not sure our militia could shift them, satyr bands can be quite stubborn."
[19:59] <Tim> "I'm just surprised.  Satyrs, here?  Normally, you never see them this far south.  I'd heard there was a band living on the outskirts of Redmoor territory, but that's well east of here, and the Blue Serpent.  Banditry is a bit more dangerous on a road all of us need, after all."
[20:00] <Tim> "What are they doing here, anyway?"
01[20:00] <Idir_Haida> "We're unsure, it sounded like they were forced out of their original home recently, and found their way here."
01[20:01] <Idir_Haida> "In any case, we are going to speak to their leader tomorrow to finalize the arrangement."
01[20:02] <Idir_Haida> "And it is said that none resort to banditry when they can feed themselves and improve their lives without risking their deaths."
[20:02] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "Indeed."
[20:03] <Lestari> "It sounded like their leader doesn't want to resort to bloodshed, so i'm hopeful myself!"
[20:03] <Tim> "True.  Bandits are desperate elves, to be pitied.  Your kindness gives me confidence, boy.  So, what's the name of this leader?  Something spiky and threatening, no doubt?"
01[20:03] <Idir_Haida> "Alder Gruf, is what his brother told us."
[20:07] <Tim> "Alder Gru..." She frowns, "Yes, that was the name of the band living in Redmoor.  This is all adding up to a very strange picture, in light of something else." She casts an eye at the Representatives from the other towns, "...Walk with me.  We're going outside."  She stands, and begins hobbling up a shallow staircase that leads around the interior wall of the room to a balcony door on the...
[20:07] <Tim> ...upper level.
06[20:07] * Idir_Haida walks with her, hands clasped behind his back.
06[20:09] * Nienna_Carnes`ir follows, her hands at her sides and a curious look on her face.
[20:10] <Tim> "The Gruf Satyrs, suddenly here, and then...answer me a riddle.  What does it mean when a town sends cranberries to us, just as it always does, yet doesn't send a representative to the election of its closest neighbor?  Redmoor is just to the east of us, on the shores of the Inland Sea.  They have a robust fishing industry, and grow excellent berry crops in the freshwater swamps.  Yet, we...
[20:10] <Tim> ...haven't heard word from them since the ghouls."
06[20:10] * Idir_Haida frowns. "We received a gift, but no representative?"
[20:11] <Tim> "No, they send the cranberries to us, which go on your wagons to towns up and down the Blue Serpent road.  Not a gift, just their usual dealing with our merchants."
01[20:12] <Idir_Haida> "Then that suggests one thing to me above others, though without further information it's hard to discount other theories."
[20:15] <Tim> "Do go on, boy, I'll try not to keel over and die while I'm waiting." The old elf jokes, leaning on her cane.
01[20:16] <Idir_Haida> "One must always choose their words carefully. Careless words can wound you as badly as careless handling of a blade." He pauess. "I would hazard a guess that there has been a coup, upheaval, or other such change in the government of Redmoor during the interim after the ghouls. Trade will always continue despite a change in government, but a new government may not observe old traditions."
01[20:16] <Idir_Haida> "Or they might be waiting until they understand how we will react to the change before making their status clear."
06[20:19] * Nienna_Carnes`ir frowns lightly. "It seems like if they will not come to us, perhaps we should go to them."
[20:29] <Tim> "So, what is your plan?"
01[20:30] <Idir_Haida> "Lady Carnes'ir's suggestion is valid, of course. Alternately we could do some information gathering-of our own to determine why they haven't approached us."
[20:33] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "A bit of both could work. Some long-range scouting. Perhaps talk to the merchants, see what they may tell us."
01[20:35] <Idir_Haida> "Well, I'll have caravans ready to be dispatched in the next week or so. Just finishing some last minute purchases and making sure the warehouse is up to specifications. I can give the driver I send that direction instructions on what to keep his eyes on in Redmoor."
[20:37] <Tim> "They actually send their own wagons here.  Redmoor is an isolated town, and they aren't always fond of outsiders.  Councilor Sseilani is-" Hanma's mouth twists as if she had just bitten into a lemon, "An insufferable woman, so I certainly haven't complained."
01[20:37] <Idir_Haida> "So it would need to be my own caravans. I can make arrangements to that effect."
[20:42] <Tim> "Do tell me if anything else strange happens, will you?"
01[20:43] <Idir_Haida> "Of course, we will keep you up to date."
06[20:47] * Lestari nods.
01[20:56] <Idir_Haida> "Is there anything else, Elder?"
[20:56] <Sariel> "Ah…er…can tell what I found, yes?"
[20:56] <Tim> "Go ahead."
[20:56] <Tim> The Elder sounds a tiny bit impatient.
[20:59] <Sariel> "Um…you heard of Waterlogged, yes?"
[21:04] <Tim> "Eduran's Sorcerer companion during the Second and Third Avalon Wars?  Yes...my father fought alongside him, actually."
[21:04] <Sariel> "Yes…am thinking the shell is related to him." Right.  Watch her tongue around this one.
[21:07] <Tim> "It was a long time ago, child, no need to look so uncomfortable.  Blaming all Long-Ears would be foolish, especially with Gwyndithrel and Gwynfarlen being from Avalon."
[21:08] <Tim> "...What shell?"
[21:10] <Sariel> "Ah…er…was in bag.  Think still have? Give to elder please?"
06[21:12] * Idir_Haida sighs. "We found an injured Mer in a stream while returning with the representative. His bag contained the shell Sariel speaks of. It's pitch black, and so are his eyes."
[21:12] <Lestari> "I get a bad vibe around that shell...Like there are a lot more spirits looking in around it."
[21:14] <Sariel> "Yes.  Is…not normal am thinking."
[21:19] <Tim> "Hmmm...well, the only magic I know is Treesong, which isn't any help.  I would recommend you keep an eye on this strange mer, and this odd shell.  Who has the shell currently?"
[21:22] <Sariel> "Ah…put down, not have.  Mer is also probably sorcerer"
[21:22] <Lestari> "I think the mer was odd, too, yeah..."
[21:23] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "We'll keep an eye on him and his shell, then. I believe both are ucrrenlty with Teilros."
01[21:23] <Idir_Haida> "The shell is still down with the Mer, in the Doctor's place. I'm planning to stay close in case he wakes so I can speak with him."
[21:25] <Tim> "As it is magic, perhaps Sariel should look after the shell.  Are you sure you'll be alright, Idir?"
01[21:26] <Idir_Haida> "Well, assuming he doesn't attempt to melt me upon sight, I'll be able to communicate with him no matter what languages he speaks."
[21:30] <Tim> "Teilros knows what he is doing.  If the Mer can be saved, he will find a way to save it.  Go and enjoy the festival, all of you.  Eat, drink, be cheerful...and keep an eye on him." She keeps her tone nonchalant, but faintly jerks her head towards the Representative from the Hunter's Realm, the Northern Quarter, the land of the Horned King standing below, wearing his beetle-shell carapace...
[21:30] <Tim> ...and high horned helm, "Why that fell creature should take an interest in elections in our little town is beyond me, but I am sure the Beetle Knight would not have been sent if it was trivial."
02[22:06] * Disconnected
Session Close: Wed Oct 09 22:06:34 2013

Session Start: Wed Oct 09 22:06:34 2013
Session Ident: #AGameOfTimsIC
02[22:07] * Attempting to rejoin channel #AGameOfTimsIC
03[22:07] * Rejoined channel #AGameOfTimsIC
[22:13] <Tim> The Beetle Knight is speaking quietly with the nearly silver-skinned Long Ear Wizardess from Birchbark, Lleandrid, while Felistree, Lord Rellanthas, and a couple of other Representatives sit at the table, eating and talking.
[22:18] <Tim> After a while, Lleandrid leaves him to go sit down and speak animatedly with the others.
06[22:20] * Idir_Haida watches these events passively, before going to go speak to some of the representatives himself.
06[22:22] * Lestari watches the Knight quietly for a while. Once he's done talking, she approaches. "You've got a very distinctive set of armor!"
01[22:24] <Idir_Haida> "So, Representatives, how are you enjoying the hospitality of Bluebell?"
06[22:24] * Nienna_Carnes`ir watches for a bit before she joins in herself--a bit with the representatives first, then off to the townsfolk, she thinks
[22:26] <Tim> The Beetle Knight is tall, and while some of it might be due to his armor, he's well over six feet, taller than Twitch and almost as tall as Wayland.  He's fully clad in armor of polished reddish-black plates of chitin that meet seamlessly over a paler backing of fawn-colored leather.  His gauntlets and sabatons are each backed by a pair of wicked-looking hooks, and he wears a brass-inlaid...
[22:26] <Tim> ...helm with an armored mask shaped like an insect's features over the upper half of his face, with bulging grillwork eyes and mandibles that come down to frame his long, dusky jawline and great stag-beetle horns rearing above.  A cream-colored halfcape hangs over his left arm, and he wears a bronze xiphos at his right hip.
[22:29] <Tim> "Ah!  Haida, isn't it?  Splendid, have a seat, lad.  Not letting it go to your head, are you?"  A short, blue-green mer pushes a drink over to Idir, "And Lady Carnes'ir...I proposed to my wife with a piece forged from Carnes'ir gold, you know.  Beautiful lustre." Another one for her, apparently someone brewed tea while you were gone.
06[22:30] * Idir_Haida sits down, taking the drink and sipping it politely. "Of course not, I am but a simple merchant who seeks to serve Bluebell as best he can."
[22:31] <Tim> The Knight tilts his head, looking at Lestari's mask and steelribbon maille...and then smiles, slowly, "As do you, milady.  Pardon, if I am giving offense, I fear the others would fain not suffer my conversation."
06[22:33] * Nienna_Carnes`ir smiles at the mer. "My family prides itself on the quality of our materials," she replies.
[22:33] <Lestari> "Oh? Why's that? I'll admit...I don't know much about the Poly-Ticks of these parts, even though i'm a Councillor now, but you seem polite enough."
[22:34] <Tim> "Megbrob, from Pike Creek.  I'm not on the Council, I'm just the smartest man in town, and the best fisher, and the best-looking." He's thoroughly unremarkable-looking, a middle-aged mer, and smiles self-deprecatingly.
01[22:36] <Idir_Haida> "Well, that would explain why you're the representative. We welcome you to our town."
[22:38] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "Hah, indeed. How've you found it so far?"
[22:39] <Tim> "Well you should, well you should, Carnes'ir.  Me, now, I pride myself on the freshness and weight of my fish.  It's because I'm choosy, y'see?  The way I see it, there's a lot of young fools who just try to splash around in the water and sneak up on 'em.  But me, no, I use the airbreather way and get a line for certain times of the day.  Diversifying, that's the way to success.  If some...
[22:39] <Tim> ...people understood that, the world would be a better place." Megbrob smiles beatifically, while beside him a thin, sallow-faced Short-Ear wearing brown leathers gnashes his teeth, "You weren't even supposed to come along!  I am the Councillor!  Your mandate is to negotiate the price of fish, not...not shmooze."
[22:40] <Tim> Megbrob gives the Short-Ear a dignified look, shakes his head, and simply...ignores him, "It's a lovely town.  Got to say, it's a bit dry, but the flowers are a nice touch.  Is it very damp in the mornings?"
[22:41] <Tim> "Ah." The Beetle Knight seems rather taken aback, "You are unfamiliar with my liege, the Horned King?"
01[22:43] <Idir_Haida> "Some, it depends on the weather, of course. Recently it's been more damp."
[22:43] <Lestari> "Hrm...Not really, no. I've heard the name, but that's about it..."
[22:45] <Tim> "He is not a fae to cross." The Knight's tone indicates a great deal of understatement, "If you ever visit his realm, stay on the roads if you love your life."
[22:47] <Lestari> "Ah...Well, if he's that bad, why would he send people to other towns to peacefully watch elections and such?"
[22:52] <Tim> His expression clouds over behind his mask, and he is silent for a few minutes, "...My lord idly wondered how the lands to the south of his domain were reestablishing themselves, so he sent me hither."
[22:53] <Lestari> "Really? You seem kind of...frustrated about the whole thing. Unless I'm wrong?"
[22:56] <Tim> "Oh, Prince Idir!" It's Felistree, "I was wondering if you and miss Nienna could speak to me for a moment about these rates?  I was wondering...I mean, I suppose if I'm going to be transporting goods on your caravans from now on...I DID happen to have the old Mellouk prices for transportation memorized, and we would like to talk to you about some plans to ship ore south..."
01[22:57] <Idir_Haida> "I always have time for trade, Miss Felistree. What did you have in mind?"
[22:59] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "Ah? I can certainly talk about ore prices for a time, what do you need?"
[23:00] <Tim> "Frustrated?  Why should I be frustrated by peace and prosperity?"
06[23:03] * Lestari shrugs. "I don't know. Nevermind, I suppose!"
[23:04] <Tim> The Knight sighs, "...Perhaps I am a little envious, I wish my people could see this land."
06[23:06] * Lestari frowns. "I suppose that's sad. If you're the only one who's allowed, it must be a bittersweet feeling."
[23:11] <Tim> Felistree beams, and launches into discussing numbers.  "I have factors in my hometown and in Hub who tell me that gemstones are going up in value, something about fashions in Greenwood or some silly nonsense, and I'd like to transport ones from your family's mines south.   Aside from that...You wouldn't charge me too terribly much to transport wheat, would you, Prince Idir?  Surely it...
[23:11] <Tim> ...wouldn't take up too much room."
[23:12] <Tim> "I did not say that.  Those who leave without the Horned King's permission are considered fine sport by him, however.  But he is not a fae to cross, remember that."
01[23:13] <Idir_Haida> "It, of course, all depends on the amount and how it is transported of course. Wagon transportation is tricky business due to both the size of the wagon and the mechanisms of wagon trade itself...Of course, for someone I am sure to be a repeat customer, I'm sure we can come to an arrangement that is profitable to all." He flashes his winningest smile.
[23:13] <Tim> "Your sword, milady, what is it made from?"
[23:14] <Lestari> "Well...That's pretty much the same. Still, i'm glad I don't have any business in his lands, then." she responds, before brightening up a bit. "Oh, this? I made it when I was going to become a...Well, before I left home. It's made of Ironwood, with the teeth of a Great shark. It's magically reinforced, too."
[23:19] <Tim> "Ah, are you an enchantress, then?" The mouth visible between the curving mandible cheek-guards smiles, "The ironwood has a grain to it I haven't seen before.  It does remind me of the sea, the pattern along it.  I've seen such blades only once or twice before.  The island tribes often use obsidian flakes slotted into a wood base...is this like that?  Yet the quality of the wood, and the...
[23:19] <Tim> ...enchanted teeth are far superior.  This is a fine sword, and a fine reflection upon its maker." He doesn't hide the admiration in his tone.
[23:21] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "I'm quite sure the family mines can provide gems at fine prices for resale," Nienna says. "We can come to a suitable price."
01[23:21] <Idir_Haida> "Flour doesn't take up overmuch room, so I'm certain that a deal can be struck."
[23:21] <Tim> "Oh, of course.  Well, my family mills process our fine, golden wheat into an excellent flour that is a delight to the senses and makes a delicious bread.  We can handle everything except moving the sacks of flour.  Truth be told...I was originally going to trust the Mellouk family to do it, but if they were in charge they'd probably run off and leave my flour to the satyrs!" She's visibly...
[23:21] <Tim> ...indignant again just remembering it.
[23:22] <Lestari> "Well...I didn't craft it, per say. I'm no woodsmith or enchanter, but it was part of a...ceremony, you could say, that I collected the parts myself. My father did it too, but he used Obsidian and the bone of a Moa."
[23:22] <Lestari> "Getting the teeth was the hardest part..."
[23:25] <Tim> "Oh indeed, Lady Carnes'ir, I'm sure my factors can help get your gemstones into the hands of wealthy, well-paying southerners.  Although I'm taking something of a risk myself, on this venture, the Ruathe family will buy from you at fair, decent prices."
[23:28] <Tim> "...A ceremony, crafting a weapon.  Are you one of the Dinay peoples, then?"
[23:29] <Tim> "From the southwestern islands.  I suppose that explains it.  I have never been there, sadly, but I hear it's beautiful."
[23:30] <Lestari> "Oh, yes. I'm from the Islands. It's very pretty there. You don't see as many fancy things like the giant Bluebells there, though...but maybe it's just that I grew up there, so i'm used to what someone from here might think is pretty there? I dunno....Anyway, yes!"
06[23:35] * Idir_Haida coughs at hearing the price list, taking a moment to compose himself. "They were charging you THAT much?"
06[23:36] * Nienna_Carnes`ir talks with hte representative on gem prices, using her in-depth knowledge of all the various sorts of gems her family mines produce to come to a good deal for her family--cheap enough to be sold at decent profit for resale, but still enough to turn fine profit for the Carnes'ir coffers.
[23:37] <Tim> "Well, yes, aren't sandworms a real and present danger south of Hub?  I hear they can swallow entire caravans...that is what Szarla Mellouk said.  And the risk of bandits is omnipresent, so they have to hire extra men for security..." She goes on, "And they said the terrain is very hilly and there is a steep cost to repair or replace wagons."  Nearly all of that is a flat-out lie.
06[23:37] * Idir_Haida looks utterly mortified at the bullshit they pulled on the representative.
01[23:41] <Idir_Haida> "I might have to start from the beginning, because it sounds like you haven't dealt with honest merchants before."
[23:43] <Tim> The representative stresses the risk she's taking...the Carnes'ir mines aren't as reliable a source as she used to be.  She implies it very, very politely, but it's still true, where quantity is concerned...your family's gems are still high-quality, YOU know that.  She doesn't seem to know much about gems, but she is a smooth talker, and quick-minded.
06[23:45] * Nienna_Carnes`ir is insistant on the quality of her family's gems, however. She even has a few examples on-hand to prove the clarity and quality of the gems, both cut or uncut. She's spent her life in those caves, she knows those gems well.
[23:47] <Tim> Felistree is somewhat overwhelmed by both the insistence and the complete knowledge of the subject, admitting that they are VERY fine gems and showing personal interest in one particularly nice ruby, "...For myself, you understand..."  Eventually, she admits your expertise, shakes your hand, and agrees to your price.
[23:47] <Tim> "Prince Idir?  Is something wrong?  You look...upset."
01[23:48] <Idir_Haida> "Ah, well, I should not be the one upset on this deal. Every one of those extra charges they added on to your shipment was a total lie. None of the reasons to charge you more was true."
01[23:49] <Idir_Haida> "Sandworms do not travel that far north, there aren't too many bandits in that area, they weren't going to hire extra security anyway, and hilly terrain does not damage wagons that quickly."
[23:50] <Tim> Meanwhile, the Beetle Knight bursts out laughing, "By the trees, I heard that Bluebell had a warrior maid of fearsome mien and deadly sword, but you're rather nice behind your mask.  It pleases me, as an elf, to see the southern Freemarches led thus."
[23:51] <Lestari> "Fearsome Mien...? Oh, you mean my mask?" She asks, smiling a bit. "I wear it to battle. If I didn't wear a mask, the spirits of those I might slay in battle might haunt me...If I wear the mask, they won't know who I am."
[23:55] <Tim> "Sandworms...don't travel that far north?  But...but their swords were made from sandworm teeth, they said..."
01[23:55] <Idir_Haida> "They are made from sandworm teeth, but you travel to get the materials, to the desert proper. Sandworms cannot leave the desert."
[23:56] <Tim> "Even for the soft dirt of the steppes?" There is growing bewilderment and anger in her voice.
06[23:57] * Idir_Haida shakes his head. "The soft dirt aggravates their skin. They simply will not travel into the steppes."
[23:57] <Tim> "So they just...lied."
01[23:57] <Idir_Haida> "It would not have been the first time. Nor the last."
[23:59] <Tim> "Hmph.  WELL.  Now that I know better, what would you say is a fair price, Prince Idir?"
Session Time: Thu Oct 10 00:00:00 2013
01[00:02] <Idir_Haida> "Flour is such a safe commodity, that I do not need to charge overmuch." He checks a slip of paper he pulled from his pocket, before sliding it to Felistree and indicating a price.
01[00:04] <Idir_Haida> "That, of course, is the rate per pound of flour. FAR more economically feasible than the Mellouk prices."
[00:05] <Tim> "And Lady Carnes'ir, um, I am quite serious, that ruby has such fire in it, I simply must have it for myself...although I'm normally not much for jewelry.  And you've given me a very fair price.  Rationally I should ask you to throw it in to seal the deal, but I know it's worth paying for...is there anything I can ever do for you in return?"
[00:09] <Tim> "Indubitably, ah...I'll be able to tell my father and mother the good news.  I understand you have fewer wagons than the Mellouks, Prince Idir, but I think your integrity more than makes up for the lies told by that...that daughter of a jackal."
[00:17] <Tim> The Beetle Knight smiles back.  He seems taken a bit offguard by how friendly she is, especially to him, "A worthy reason.  Perhaps this is why no one I have slain has returned to haunt me, yet...except in dreams, sometimes, and I suppose all warriors dream of their past battles." His smile becomes a little sad, "It fits what I hear, that the Dinay cleave closely to the spirits of the land."
[00:18] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "Hmm..." Nienna makes a show of thinking for a moment. "I think I would like to meet more of your family, Lady Felistree. You may have heard that mine is looking to expand..."
[00:18] <Lestari> "Yes, that's true. My father was a Shaman, so I picked up a lot of knowledge about spirits and such..."
[00:21] <Tim> "Expand?" Felistree taps her fingertips on the table, listening.
[00:22] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "Well, I'm unmarried, and my family believes I'm fast approaching the age where, quite frankly, I should be," Nienna admits honestly. "If you've any unwed brothers, or cousins... well, perhaps a more, ah, permanent deal could be struck...?"
[00:23] <Tim> "D-don't you want to meet them first?"
[00:25] <Nienna_Carnes`ir> "Of course, which is what I am asking." Nienna sniffs lightly. "If, of course, it wouldn't be a bother... I imagine you have better prospects for most of them anyway." She sighs lightly. "But it would do me well to meet any who may be... willing to even just speak with me for a time."
[00:32] <Tim> A sudden flush of sympathy in her eyes, Felistree leans across the table and grabs Nienna's hands, "I...oh, I know how you feel!  Just...just someone who isn't intimidated by someone wealthy and successful!  I think they're all horribly irritating myself, but...if you really want to meet my brothers...I can always send them with some flower to your town, and tell them to introduce themselves...
[00:32] <Tim> ...to you.  The ones that aren't married, anyway."
06[00:34] * Nienna_Carnes`ir nods, taking a moment to compose herself. "THat would be so very wonderful of you, I really cannot thank you enough."
[00:34] <Tim> "Ah.  My father's father's father was one of the Twelve Chieftains of the Northern Quarter, before the Horned King arrived.  Now, I am just a knight in his household, governing my people and keeping them safe as best I can.  Truly, though, it is astounding to meet a warrior who knows so much of shamanry."
[00:34] <Tim> The Beetle Knight says to Lestari
[00:34] <Tim> Meanwhile, Felistree has taken a moment to think, "...Do you...maybe...have a brother?" She looks hopeful.
06[00:38] * Nienna_Carnes`ir nods. "Ah, I do, an older brother, but... he's married already, sad to say." She squeezes Felistree's hand lightly. "But many sorts cross through Bluebell. And I'm sure your family's mills see many visitors as well. Shall we keep an eye out for each other?"
[00:41] <Tim> "Always!  Oh, here, let me sign and seal this, to make the contracts valid..." She does so, the runes of her name neatly inked.
01[00:53] <Idir_Haida> "A pleasure doing business with you, Lady Ruathe. Of course, now that business is concluded, we can enjoy the celebration. I was going to go for a walk around the city, perhaps you'd like to join me?"
[00:55] <Tim> "Well, I was just about to ask if...wait, what?  Oh yes, certainly.  Um, that would be very pleasant." She hurriedly adjusts her hair, patting the prim bun she wears it in, "It is rather a lovely town..."
[00:58] <Lestari> "Ah...Well, like I said, I spent a lot of my childhood around such things, so it makes sense."
[01:02] <Tim> "Was it just my eyes, or were many of the outlying farms abandoned?"
[01:03] <Tim> * "Was it just my eyes, or were many of the outlying farms abandoned?" The Beetle Knight asks
02[01:08] * Quits: Nienna_Carnes`ir (thermophil@450A31E6.AD851E15.1801A703.IP) (Quit: )
03[01:10] * Lestari is now known as Blaxploitation
02[01:15] * Disconnected