Good question. Going to have to look at that more closely as to exactly when the bonus BP kicks in.
Vosil frowns as the reports come in. "Well, it is Neth, I suppose - the harvest is long since over and folk are hoarding what they can; Winter is coming, after all. Still. They best not make a habit of it. At least we have the output of the quarry and the gold mine."
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The stars are cold and bright in the night skies at the end of the month. For four nights, a glorious meteor shower tears across the skies over Concord. This is seen as a sign from heaven, and Morale soars in the County.
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Talia watches the meteor shower from the castle walls, wrapped in a shawl, silent and awestruck. Though she'd always paid homage to Abadar, there was no doubt that Desna offered an emotional pull that little on this world could match. Surely, these sparks of light high above the city was a sign of favor from that most important goddess, who's domain involved luck and prophecy, after all.
They should build an observatory.
At the next meeting, Kaalib looks a bit grim as he prepares the presentation. Puffing a bit of smoke in the corner, the image comes into view and starts accompanying his prepared speech. A stack of gold is shown to be shrinking. "Due to the onset of winter, our coffers are quite less full than we expected. We may not be able to do much in this month due to our depleted funds."
The gold sack faded into the smoke entirely as a view of the silver mine appeared. "In order to gain more revenue, we may need to re-negotiate with the kobolds as per your original deal with them. We'll need Talia to handle this directly, as the chief will not talk to underlings about such things. It would be good to go and visit my tribe, secure their support in using the mine and that area for the good of all. It doesn't even do them any good right now."
Gavriil sits up in a window of one of the towers of the castle, lazily playing his lute as the stars shoot across the sky with an easy smile on his face and a tankard of ale sitting next to him. The gods seem to favor our building of a brewery.
He looks up to the sky and says softly, "Alright, alright, I get it, you like sending us omens... I guess you deserve at least one song for watching over us this month"
He pauses, "I guess this one's for Edric's lady, since she is in charge of the stars..."
He begins to lightly play and:
"Blue Moon, you saw me standing alone,
Without a dream in my heart,
Without a love of my own,
Blue moon, you knew just what I was there for,
You heard me saying a prayer for,
Someone I could care for,
And then there suddenly appeared before me,
Someone my arms could really hold,
I heard you whisper "Darling please adore me,"
And when I looked to the moon it had turned to gold,
Blue moon, now I'm no longer alone,
Without a dream in my heart,
Without a love of my own.
And then there suddenly appeared before me
The only one my arms will ever hold
heard somebody whisper please adore me
And when I looked the Moon had turned to gold
Blue moon
Now I'm no longer alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own
Blue moon
Now I'm no longer alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own."
He sets his lute to the side and raises a tankard to the heavens, "Thank you."
He lets out a sigh and says, "Well, that's about it for our once a month talk. Now back to me ignoring you and you ignoring me"
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Gavriil nods to Kaalib before slyly asking with a smirk on his face, "Kaalib, do your people happen to like to drink?"
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In the wake of the comet shower Edric spends nearly two weeks focusing on a more religious side to his own duties. With Asha's help he manages to pull together an impromptu celebration which takes place on the third night of the shower, six months to the day to the establishment of Concord. Although Edric acts as the driving force of the event he remains quiet on the night itself, content to let Asha lead both the festivities and the worship.
For the two weeks after he is quiet and more introspective than usual, spending a lot of time outside Concord's walls, often with Asha as the two communed with their gods in the wildness.
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"Are we all going to the kobolds then?" Edric asks. "We can't send Taalia alone and if some of us are going it might well be worth making an appearence in force. Shock and awe and all that." He catches Kaalib's eye and makes a small sitting gesture, trying to convey that they should talk later.
Kaalib noticed the paladin's subtle gesture, and nodded in return. They should have a bit of a sit down. He wasn't sure quite what the conversation would be about, but the properly colored one definitely had been friendly in the past.
The castle showed up again through the mist, and a simplified image of a red haired girl in a dress came out, and went over to the mine. When she got there, a bunch of kobolds came out with spears and chased her back to the castle. "Showing weakness to the Kobolds would be a bad tactic, whether it's through lack of numbers or willfully poisoning yourself. If the kobolds loved drink more than they had ambition, the dwarves and the kobolds would have become friends ages ago. I do recommend that we bring at least what we brought last time. If we really want to make an impression, we could sit our army right outside the cave. It would cost a bit, but it would make it easier to make an impression." While he spoke, an image of a bunch of men marching from the castle to the mine appeared, the kobolds threw down their spears and started mining.
Talia, busy staring at Kaalib's presentation, totally misses the exchange between her advisors. Smiling at the treasurer, the Viscountess nods. "My thoughts exactly, Kaalib. A show of force here is the correct approach. I'll do the negotiating, with some prompting from Kaalib as needed, but I expect all of us - and our army - to make the journey."
Looking around the room, her face serious, the royal continues. "It would be good for everyone to meet our allies face to face."
"Onto other matters - I would like to honor Desna for her grace last month. We should build an observatory for her faithful to better see the heavens."
Holding her hand up to stay Kaalib's soon-to-come objection, Talia continues. "I understand that it isn't feasible to do right now. Just, it should be something for the future."
"Would the kobolds respect any agreement made under force of a small army once the army was removed?"
Kaalib's forehead wrinkled at the notion that all the council should go, that didn't really sit well with him. But it had some merit, so he ignored it for the time being. Instead he focused his attention on the archer. "That's a good question Dregan. The show of force is necessary because the Chief needs to see for himself. Any statements or references to things he cannot see will not be useful. He feels justified in believing that we'd lie to him just to gain his allegiance. Once his justification of our deceit is taken away, he should be more reasonable and practical. It's possible that he'll want to move out of our lands as well, but he's likely to do that without a fight if he understands our strength. Either way, we can have the mine."
The kobold hoped the chief wouldn't go that route. He really did wish to help his people and if they ran off, that would make it quite hard. "I'd rather that didn't happen, as it would limit my options to help them out of their barbarism. It's a necessary step."
The little dragon eyed Asha for a moment as he considered the observatory. He didn't want to contradict the ruler's vision of a place to venerate Desna, although it did make him much more uncomfortable. These human gods with no sense of law, discipline or community didn't seem to fit into his idea of how a government should be run. He'd planned for a shrine to Erastil to be built first of course, they already had a high priest for him. Perhaps he'd bring it up later in a proposal when they can make it happen. Economy was the issue at this point, so that's what they should focus on.
Gavriil nods to Kaalib. Worth a shot at least
He listens to the others going back and forth with their ideas before finally speaking up. "Would we be able to bolster our show of force using this illusion you're using here? Maybe make it seem like our army is bigger than it actually is? Because if we want to give a show of force, we might as well go big."
He pauses for a long moment before finally admitting to himself that it needs to be asked, "If the chief does want to move on. Would their be a way that you could convince your tribe to rally behind you and stay? Or would that involve a lot of bloodshed? I don't know how close you are with your tribe."
"Also, what if we invite the chief here? You said it before that it might help to win him over if he sees the merits of civilization. Plus we wouldn't have to march our army down there. We could have a show of force while still maintaining our treasury."
He glances at Talia and smirks when she suggests the observatory. It seems everyone is getting a little more pious these days. He does not make a remark on it, though, for there really wasn't a point and she made it seem like it wasn't up for discussion.
"Not to denigrate Kaalib's considerable skill, but an illusion on that scale would require truly exceptional power," Naralesh remarks in response to Gavriil's comment about bolstering their forces with some illusionary troops. "Besides, our actual strength should be more than enough to impress."
Kaalib scratched the scales on the side of his neck in thought. "Bringing the Chief here might be useful, if he'll come. It didn't occur to me because I don't think he will, but at this point, I don't see anything wrong with giving it a try. It would save us a fair bit of resources, and we can use the alternative as a back up plan. Why don't you draft a letter, draconic would be preferable, to come treat with Talia and see if we can get a response."
Gavriil nods to Naralesh, "I don't know a lick about magic, so thanks for pointing that out."
He then turns to Kaalib and says, "Alright, but I don't know Draconic so I'd need someone's help if I'm to do that. If someone wants to volunteer transcribing my words to paper we can get the invitation sent right away."
Vosil considers the matter. His worries have been greatly eased by the reports of their improved economy. "From what I remember of kobolds, they're territorial little ba- I mean, I have fought kobolds and they do not tend to run easily. They use their terrain to their advantage and trap it. I do not think they would fear our army, as it is raw recruits with no training in tunnel combat."
He sighs. "If we want to threaten them, use the Brighthammers. Kaalib, suppose we tell your chief that we are all that keeps the dwarves from attacking his people? And that we need silver to keep the dwarves happy?"
He looks thoughtful. "Our aim here is to get the kobolds to accept that they need our protection, but that they have to pay for it. So we claim the hex, but let them keep the mine - as long as they work it."
He looks around to gauge their reaction. "Oh, and an agreement that they'll behave themselves. Can't have them going around causing trouble while our backs are turned."
Talia clears her throat. "Ahem. I know Draconic, as does Kaalib, I'm sure. We can write the letter, but it should ultimately appear as if it comes from me. From our chief to theirs."
"I do think it is a great idea to invite the Chief here. Let him see the might of our city and, if he bends the knee, the promise that can be for his people."
The Viscountess' expression drops when Vosil mentions playing the dwarves off on the kobolds. "It is a fine idea, but one based around untruths. The kobolds have honored our treaty to this point. I'd rather not give them - or the dwarves - reason to think us untrustworthy, if either group were to find out we've been using the Brighthammers as, well, hammers, without their knowledge."
Taking care to craft the letter with Kaalib's help, you send it out with a messenger who can speak Draconic - mostly because kobolds don't read.
A week later, the word comes back: the Chief will not come to Concord. "He says that if the Chief-Woman wants to speak, she will come to see Sootscales, and she will come alone."
On hearing the Sootscales' reply, Vosil looks pensively out of the window, and the chill Kuthona dark beyond. "Winter is upon us, a time of treachery and darkness. If we would survive, we must tread with care. I do not propose to agree to the chief's terms, if we come to a vote on it. Sending Talia alone is a bad idea."
He looks straight at Kaalib. "I support - I have supported - your idea of civilising your fellows, rather than exterminating them, as the Brighthammers would have wished. I have argued your cause with our other advisors." He looks uneasily at Asha and Darrick, before moving swiftly on. Time heals all wounds, and all that. "But what sort of timescale are we working on here? We cannot have infinite patience. And we CERTAINLY cannot let your chief dictate terms to us."
Talia's brow furrows, anger at being rebuffed starting to color her cheeks. "I'll go visit the Chief, but you're right, Vosil - we reached out as friends, and he is dictating terms. Ride with me, and stop a few hours from the mine. I'll approach with intent to negotiate, and if anything happens, I'll get a message to you. Somehow."
As to how, Talia's at a loss. "Maybe I could take Norah with me? I'll insist with meeting the Chief outside the cave. If anything happens, Norah, hiding in the bushes, can run back to you all."
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"You're not going alone Talia." Edric says, his voice blunt. "At the very least I will come with you, ideally it should be three or more of us with you. We have to consider your safety first, then the issue of appearance. If you go in without backup you negotiate from a position of weakness. We have to demonstrate strength, at least proportionate to the situation. Negotiating outside the cave is a good idea. Using Norah as a scout, also good but I am coming as your bodyguard - that is not negotiable."
"Agreed." Darrick nods at Edric. "And if I might add to what Vosil has said: Kaalib, your desire to civilize your clan is admirable, but the practical realities must be considered. If we give in to his demand, he will be emboldened to make more demands, and more, and so on. When does it end? No, we should go in strength. Not with the army, but as one. And by 'we' I mean all of you. The chief will have to be dealt with, one way or another. Best to let him know that you will meet him part way on his terms: you will go to him, but from a position of strength, as a group."
Asha looks at Kaalib. "Kobolds respect strength, yes? Maybe even fear much stronger opponents? Darrick's idea seems to be best. Show our strength from the start."
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Talia smiled. If she'd had council like she had now, people that were - frankly - much better than her at reading dangerous situations and how to handle them, Talia would probably never have written The Tender Heart. Which then meant she'd never had ended up a Viscountess, with councilors - no friends - like these. Funny thing, life.
"Wise points, all of you. Very well, lets go visit the Sootscales."
Dregan nods happy that everyone else has voiced his concerns "It might be wise to write them another letter informing them of how things will happen people get jumpy when they have surprises and I figure the kobolds are likely to be even jumpier."
Gavriil's jaw almost drops to the ground when Talia says she wants to go along with what the chief demanded. Then his jaw clenches shut for probably the first time in a long while. Nope, that's sure as s*@@ isn't going to fly. Even if I have to ghost her the whole time, she isn't going there alone.
After the moment of shock he opens his mouth to speak, but Edric steps in first followed shortly by the others demonstrating in more eloquent words than he ever could how this wasn't one of her plays. This was real life. They'd already seen enough people die because of honor. Heck, they lost three people and almost Naralesh and her because of honor bound people.
Gavriil drums his fingers on the table as the others talk it out. Finally, once he's cooled himself down on the inside he says, "Great. Then it's agreed. We go. And since we're already breaking the rules, I suggest Edric grabs a few of his best men to follow us and stay hidden. If the chief flips out over you not coming alone, I'd rather not have to face a clan of Kobolds by ourselves. We're good, but good doesn't always beat numbers."
He looks at Dregan and says, "If we send a letter and this whole thing displeases them then that just gives them time to set up an ambush that we'd be riding right into. I'd they be on the same footing as us. They already get to pick the grounds for the meeting."
Gavriil makes a face and says, "I know it's not a popular opinion, but we may want to at least warn the Brighthammers that a fight may be coming. They may be useful."
"We all hope it won't come to violence, but we all know Kaalib's people have vastly different ways to our own. I agree we should all be present. The Chief needs to know how things stand - and if he's going to be Chief much longer, he's going to have to recognize our sovereignty."
"I agree with Gavril. Writing another letter just gives them more time to prepare if they so choose. I'm sure Kaalib could confirm, but it's not like they won't have traps as it is. As I recall, you said that you had to be guided around such things the first time you went in there."
Darrick nods in agreement. "Indeed, Kesten." He stands up from the table, moving over to where a large arched window looks out over Concord and the lake. Clasping his hands behind his back, he says: "My knowledge of these creatures is not from personal experience of course, but I think we can expect some sort of resistance from the Chief. It may be that someone is going to have take control of the tribe, and I don't think that it can be done through negotiation." He turns.
"Am I right, Kaalib?"
It's obvious Darrick is treading lightly here, eager to avoid another confrontation over the kobolds like the last one. But, as is his wont, he is speaking the hard truth.
Naralesh sighs. "I think we all suspect that will be the case." He looks around the room to each of his companions, his eyes falling last to Kaalib. "I have confidence in you, my friend. Are you ready for this challenge?"
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