To the island, then. Where's our ambassador?
Suny happily bounces and skips about helping as best she can with getting the Slipstream ready for their next journey.
We are our own ambassadors, let us get on with the task, if she is not game, then we must complete this one alone. What say you all? Eirel calls out to the shore party.
Suny skips up and gives Eirel a friendly hug,
"Aye, we can make tha' most of it!" She replies with an impish grin in her broken Human polyglot language.
So be it. We'll do our best with what we have.
Wil boards the slipstream, sad that Elorin wouldn't be joining them this time and hoping he'd be good enough at negotiating. He also hoped they weren't walking into another fight. Seeing Sunys impish grin he chuckled but couldn't quite understand what she said. "Lets be off then before the winds turn." He hefted his gear and walked up the gangplank once more. He hated leaving Trueheart behind but he had to do what he could to aid Elfhome and stop the followers of the Beast.
"I know many sea shanties to entertain, but many are off-color."
The ship pulls away on a swift, uneventful journey to the island.
Approaching the large island, Windfavor is careful to spend an entire day reconnoitering the coastline from afar.
There are many small villages, and one massive coastal city built by a natural harbor.
"Where do we wish to land? We stand out in a small village. If the massive harbor does business, strangers may stand out there. But I see the shipping lanes from our continent are basically empty. We may stand out in the large port city too."
Wil poineed to he natural harbor of the larger coast city. "If we land in a smaller village they may take our actions as being suspicious. I say we take the initiative and dock at the larger harbor and meet them directly and without delay. Best to come across as earnest and straightforward in our intentions. What say the rest of you?"
Thalas was among the last to board the Slipstream. Spending most of the voyage on deck feeling the sun, hearing the waves, and feeling the spray of the sea as they darted across its waters was a time of primal rejuvenation in which to contemplate knowledge the nature of wisdom.
With the surveying of the island complete, he entered the discussion.
"The harbor is the most natural place for us to go as visitors from across the sea; we will be expected there regardless of our intent. As such, we will present ourselves as less threatening to the inhabitant."
Agreed. We're diplomats, just here to make new friends. No need make them suspicious of our motives.
Seltyn thinks Wil, Suny, and Thalas, being our most charming elves, should do the talking. We'll take the bannermaiden along, too. Looks official, and it's a free buff in case we need it.
Play it by ear. The rest of us can make perception checks, and if things don't go well, we'll try to retreat without hurting anyone.
Smiles, everyone! We represent Elfhome.
Suny spends the journey scampering about helping with ship's duties. As the Slipstream rides the waves and her prow points towards the large port of which people have decided is their destination, she agily steps up onto the bow-sprite and eagerly watches the city as the ship sails in.
Azlain stood in his usual place atop the mast, now glinting in his majestic armor. It fit him like a second skin. He felt strange wearing it. Nothing this beautiful was meant to be worn by someone as hideous as he.
Still, it made him proud to wear it and he wasn't about to insult the Queen by refusing her gift.
Might as well meet them head on and go in through the main gates. Not much point in skulking around. Only breeds bad blood. he mutters, more to himself than anyone else.
Eirel had been quiet for most of the journey, his thoughts private. It was a ragtag band that he had found himself a part of, and he was rather unsure as to where they all stood in relation to each other. There was work to do however, and it needed doing fast. If they were the best to do it, then so be it.
Wil was stoked, he delved below to strap on his gear once more and by the time they were near the port he stood on deck. Armored, armed and ready to take his first step on unknown soil, despite how close he was to home he was excited at the opportunity to meet new people, races and hopefully make new allies in the war against the Beast. His shoulders popped as he rolled them under his masterwork field plate, loosening himself up before they arrived so that he wouldn't appear as tense. "For Elfhome! For Victory!"
For Victory!
Wil's enthusiasm was catching. Seltyn allowed himself a moment of optimism, then just stayed optimistic.
He may not be a bard, but there was no denying the paladin's ability to rally the crew. Of course he was confident. This was a guileless attempt at renewing old bonds. Unless the place has radically changed, we've little to fear.
It's our job to face the unknown. Might as well enjoy it...
Seltyn casts message right before we disembark. 50 minutes' worth.
via message: Speak in Common. Whisper to me in Elven. Stay sharp.
Wil nodded, preparing for the worst but hoping for the best possible outcome. They represented Elfhome and today they wouldn't fail. If the cultists were here ahead of them then he planned on revealing their lies and deceit before crushing them beneath his heel. This wasn't about revenge anymore, this was war and he planned on winning. Same with the witches when he found them again, they would either be redeemed or brought down so the gods could sort them...
Eirel stirs slowly as the harbour comes into view over the horizon. Praying to Gozreh for some time, he goes through the spells that he is likely to need for the day, and then realises that he hasn't a clue what would help.
He puts together a few nuggets of spells together in his mind, before preparing the lockpicks and grooming Who for a while.
When that work is done, he looks over the rest of his equipment, checking the sword and armour that he wears when out on the missions before standing at the bow, watching the harbour.
Aye, to victory. Let us do our kind proud this day
Suny continues to scamper around the boat helping out...much as she has been doing the whole voyage....
Azlain hops down off the mast as they come ashore, drifting down to land lightly next to Wil as the group makes its way down the gang plank.
The enthusiasm of the rest was infectious and in spite of himself, Azlain found himself smiling behind his faceplate.
Not that he would admit that.
Windfavor steers the boat into the large natural harbor. It is obvious the arrival of the ship is a significant event, and a large group is waiting for the ship to arrive. Windfavor slowly guides the ship in, pointing out that the humanoids on this island are quite different.
The are bipedal and most closely resembles humans, but they have a pale cast to their skin, deeply sunken eyes and an emaciated appearance. Overall they seem frail. They are equipped with javelins, throwing axes, light hammers, shortbows, and light crossbows.
Their main manner of dress seems to be gray scholarly robes with differing types of colored braid and embroidery. A very elderly male awaits with a large degree of embroidery on his robe. Most of them hold a single hand high in a 'stationary' wave as a greeting.
Pretty ones to the front, then Flambeaux, then the rest of us.
Give 'em a scan, Wil, then charm their robes off.
Seltyn mirrors the greeting of these strange folk, and tries to recall what he's heard about them.
Wil stands near the bow of the ship and survey's the large, well armed, group that has come to greet them. Despite their display of strength he returns their greeting by raising his hand in the same manner as they did. He made no move to draw a weapon or arm himself prior to docking, lest they take the action as open hostility. However he wasn't a fool though and had his armor on and was completely equipped if these strangers decided to attack them for whatever reason.
He had One Shot strapped to his back and safely tucked away in a bow case so the sea weather couldn't harm the precious relic, in the mean time his own bow was kept below deck on board the Slipstream. It was a pity that Elorin wasn't here for this moment but he hoped he'd have good knews to bring back to her. As they approached the dock he focused his energy and cast the eye of the protector over their ranks to see what lurked in their souls...
After they got closer to the dock he ceased what he was doing and pulled off his helm before greeting them with a warm smile and raising his hand in greeting once more. "Marry meet! We the Foxes of Elfhome ask for your permission to step onto your homeland as we seek your council."
As the boat approaches, lines are tossed to those on deck. It is obvious the tall ship is an awkward fit for a harbor expecting much different vessels.
Will detects two medium auras of evil among the crowd of more than fifty of the mostly human looking humanoids. It is difficult to localize the auras, as they are moving somewhat, and the dress of the natives is quite similar.
Having no ramps or ladders, Windfavor throws the quite ingenious folding ladder over the side of the ship. Strong wooden slats lock into place for easy disembarkation.
Raise that banner, Flambeaux. Let's look impressive!
Wil climbs down first, noting the feeling of evil aura's but discounting them as the feeling wasn't a majority of those who stood before him. He spread his arms wide in a, hopefully, welcoming manner before he spoke his greeting in each language he knew in the hopes that they would understand, stopping once they responded. "Greeting and Salutation's, I am Wilaml Fmelvam and these are my associates, we come bearing good will and the hopes of a long friendship from Elfhome. I apologize but I am unfamiliar with your homeland and would love to learn more about you and your esteemed people. I would like to know who is your leader so I could greet them properly as well."
Thalas stands at the gunwale of the ship, hoping he looked impressive in order to bolster Wil's diplomatic effort.
Suny will scamper around and do 'crew' things. Once those are done and the ship is secure to the wharf she'll amble up and stand looking over the buildings and people here at the shore.
The frail elder man smiles at Wil's words. "We shall fete you in grand style. Our artisans, courtesans, and thespians are desirous of an opportunity to display their wit and grace. Let us away to our theatre."
The group prepares to head through a city of elegance and graceful buildings to a massive tower that seems to be built of cantilevered towers and bridges connecting a block long and wide building together. Water jets spray into the air and a delightful display of colors cause pictures of dancing natives and rainbows to provide an artful display.
message: Somebody talk to the man.
Seltyn will wait until introductions have been made, then try to start a conversation with someone about the fountains.
Wil is quite surprised and awed by the impressive display the city performs for their benefit. He thanks them and compliments their engineering and ingenuity. "I had heard you were known as the greatest chemists in the land. I must admit I am surprised and honored by your cities grand architecture. I would love to see this in Elfhome one day and look forward to your theatre as i am sure it will be even more impressive display of your peoples talents."
The elven group is lead to a grand balcony in a massive hall. As they are seated in comfortable seats well above the floor, a massive display of music and dancing erupts. The dancers seem to be moving to tunes heavily laced with stringed instruments and seem to be able to levitate off the ground as three hooded figures seem to be casting and chanting. The resultant magic seems to cause the very air to shimmer and dance and support the weight of the dancers.
"We remain isolated somewhat intentionally." the older man reveals. "The chaos after the last war still endures. We find biding our time is the answer. And, we are working on the ultimate magic. It is quite ingenious, and when complete, may make war obsolete."
The last statements are given in a low monotone without any sense of drama.
He then points, "See the rise of the dancers on columns of air. It is how we all should be. Ties to drudgery and manual labor are not comely."
Suny skips around looking and peering at everything these new folk have to show.
At the dance/festival she is all 'Oooos' and 'Ahhhhhhs' at the display presented.
"In what way, sir? There is a necessity in many of the tasks you call drudgery and manual labor. The growing of plants for food, or spinning of thread with which to make clothes, the apprentice at the forge-bellows, or the cook in the kitchen are none of them comely - yet all are vital to a people's way of life if they would not be barbarian wanderers," Thalas asks, perplexed about the elder's comment.
Seltyn listens, but lets the "faces" do the talking.
Wil listen's to the Elder and then nods at Thalas's wise words. "I hope to see more of your culture and understand your advancements, as much as your willing to show us as we are strangers in your lands. I must agree with Thalas at the necessity of craftsmen, they keep our industries going and in my experience I haven’t seen magic or other means completely replace these types of individuals. It does not mean however that such a thing can’t happen, I just haven’t seen it in the lands I have travelled to thus far and being over a century old I’ve seen more battlefields and injuries then great advances in civilization. My comrade Thalas here is far older then I and I rely on his wisdom in many things." He was remaining respectful and hoping to build friendly terms with this strange and advanced people.
Although he had his doubts if they would aid them much in their war efforts. Perhaps they would provided potions of healing but nothing above that, as it seems they are more partial to neutrality then siding with anyone...
Suny continues to wander about eyes agog and aglow at the splendor upon display.
"Ooooo....pretty..." She marvels at the wonders being demonstrated/presented.
Wil having thought on the older man's first words took on a more solemn look as he thought on war becoming obsolete through the use of this Ultimate magic. "I am not particularly skilled in spellcraft I leave that to those who have actual training, but I am well versed in war and have found that many advances come from conflict. It's sad but without conflict we wouldn't have reason to advance. Do you disagree Elder?"
The elder speaks primarily to Wil, but occasionally turns to ensure he politely makes eye contact with you all.
"We have tried to eliminate war and reduce manual tasks as much as possible. We suffered much 'collateral damage' from the massive war waged on your continent. Our primary goal was to make sure that we could fight without relying on our weak military. Magic is difficult to cast when dodging arrows and javelins."
He asks, "We would be interested in the magic seeds of elven origin that produce the most wonderful fruit-bearing bushes if they are not just legend. The hours saved tilling and tending crops could be converted to more cultural pursuits."
He gestures offhanded to the music and dancing display that you rate as quite extraordinary.
The food served is quite delicious and seems to be mostly fish.
A young female with spectacles and a simple gray robe appears. She has a large tome of a strange crimson material. She nods politely during the performance, but seems to mostly take notes and read her book.
Wil nods at the Elder's words but shakes his head completely at a loss as to what all occured during this great war the elder spoke of. Only that he knew little about it. "What little I know is that all the races suffered in the Great War, we elves are still trying to recover from the after math. If such seeds exist they would be of great aid to us as well." He sighed, he clearly loved the display but the his lack of knowledge was disconcerting to say the least.
"I understand your points and I can see how your people have prospered under such ideals..." He paused unable to shake the feeling that now wasn't the time for him to speak, not during such a beautiful display. The last thing he wanted to do was to sour the moment.
"If it isn't too much of a problem I would speak with you somewhere more private, as you have said your study of magic is immense and perhaps someone may eaves drop on things I'd be less inclined for them to hear." He mean't ever word truthfully, if the elder assumed he was withholding something then it would be his assumption alone.
"Pardon me Elder, my apologies." At the approach of the newcomer he excused himself politely, stood and pulled her chair out for her. "Il tycaillayma ane fa eo laameleanya, tycaillaa irilela il laailan." He gave her his warmest smile as he waved her to sit scooting the chair up for her as she sat down.
He smiled broadly, hoping he didn't come off as rude. "Apologies again, she carries a beautiful tome and not to seem undelicate I'd hate to see a lady stuggle when her hands are full. By the way this fish is fantastic, my compliments to your chef."
Suny listens to what the locals have to say. She glances at her companions to see what their response is but for now she keeps own council.
The young lass who joins their group generates as much interest in Suny about the lass as said lass seems to have about the group.
Red dragon hide. A rare book, indeed.
Seltyn speaks with the young woman, hoping to learn more.
Do you have many such books? I'd love to see what your libraries contain. There would be much to marvel at, I wager.
The lady smiles and points to the elder.
"Unfortunately we treat the study of magic and its advancement beyond the most basic level as a state secret. I can only study some tomes under supervision. The distribution of magic is controlled at the highest levels. Isn't that right First Elder?"
The lady nods to the First Elder, who responds.
"I am sure others deal with magic as a most private matter. We are not the only ones. Won't you join us for a private conference, Second Abjurer?"
After the conclusion of the festivities, you are escorted to large room with a huge table with runes of power carved into the top.
The First Elder nods to Wil. "I believe it is polite to let you begin. We cannot be overheard here."
Suny continues to wander around looking, 'Oo-ing' and 'Ahh-ing' at all the pretty stuffs.
Wil nods to the other's as he collects his thoughts. "We are here for more than just a visit to new lands, we've come to rekindle old bonds as conflict is occurring on the mainland again. It's small for now but gaining momentum, enough to threaten and even perhaps reverse what little progress we have made. I have been assuming that you have been visited by other envoys such as ourselves, I had been wondering if they were servants of Rovagug. Mainly because they have been several steps ahead of us on the mainland and have been convincing the human tribesman to join their cause. But it's more than apparent that your people wouldn't be so easily swayed."
"Now please understand I am not the leader of this band, merely one of it's many voices and an old soldier. However as this conflict continues to grow, the bloodshed that has already occurred will spread to envelop us all eventually. We are here in the hopes that we can count you among our allies or at least know that you won't join either side and that your people understand that you may be involved in this bloody conflict either way. These servants of the beast have proven more than forceful in their views and I wouldn't doubt that if coercion failed they'd use force instead."
He leans forward his field armor shifting uncomfortably at the impossible position as he says. "I'm not asking for an answer now but merely letting you know of things you may not have known and I hope that us coming here in person would be enough to prove our words of friendship are true. No matter what though the dire warning of impending conflict had to be given to you."
Eirel has been quiet for much of the day, the performances were beautiful, and he spent much of the time watching them in awe. That bodies could be bent and twisted in such ways and so delicately was unheard of for him.
Even as the discussion of war was beginning, he was quiet once more, his hand gently resting upon the head of Who. It was a grim business that was for sure.
The nods at Wil's words.
"Well spoken young warrior. You are the first visitors we have received besides the occasional visits from the Society of Secrets folks from your mainland. It appears they were quite happy to procure naptha potions from us. But it appears they have figured out how to make the potions themselves. They seem surprised that we now only allow them to have our most basic recipes."
He puts his hands together and waves the slim, plain looking bespectacled young female over.
"So, we can help each other. We can smite your enemies from afar and leave their cities and fertile lands in ruins. You can provide us the much needed elven magic seeds and basic goods to free up our workforce for more noble pursuits. Anyone messing with one of us will have to mess with both of us."
He adds: "As we have no known enemies, I am sure our aid in any of your conflicts would be well rewarded. Velma, I have pushed you for a demonstration. Maybe a practical target can be found for your research."
He addresses Wil again: "Do you have the authority to commit to anything? Or are we just talking a hypothetical arrangement? I think I have explained our needs and capabilities in my own rambling way."
Wil was pleasently surprised at first but kept himself focused. He wouldn't make any promises he couldn't deliver on as that wasn't fair to their possibly new found allies. "As much as I wish I could I sadly cannot promise anything yet. I won't lead you on with empty promises as I do not know personally where these magical seeds are and perhaps your legends or historical references could guide us in finding them together. In the meantime we can take your request back to our Queen, I am sure that an explanation of how you could aid us in this conflict will convince her in making the best judgement. However..."
He cleared his throat trying to articulate the words and shifting slightly in his armor. "If this alliance comes to fruition I must ask personally that you not decimate their cities or lands if you can avoid it. Aside from the deaths of the innocents forced to serve there is someone we are trying to save... She is dear to the foxes and to the land itself and what little I know of her is that she is a Treemother. Imprisoned by the servants of the beast and being used in ways I cannot describe. We must find and free her but I do not know where she is..." He looks to Seltyn for a moment, being the last original member of the Foxes he had yet to ask him if he had an inkling as to where she was... The moment passed quickly and he added in a more uplifting tone. "For now however what shall you prefer us to do. Shall my companion's and I depart to tell our Queen of your request or shall we research the location of theses seeds first? Perhaps an idea of their location will help sway her more swiftly."
The older man looks somewhat puzzled.
"Our new magic is destructive and indiscriminant. The effects, according to the calculations, may devastate an entire population center. Find us a suitable target, and we will act. Preferrably far from anything you hold dear. A hostage would complicate things."
He looks around, "That somber discussion destroyed our pleasant social evening. If you could, please take Velma with you. She is eager to learn and examine your magic seeds."
Wil looks sheepish for a moment. "My apologies, it wasn't my intention to ruin this evenings festivities and it had been very enjoyable. Also you should be warned of a vessel similar to ours on the high seas, is manned by several powerful witches from the Black Citadel. we've clashed with them and they are terrible opponents known for carrying slave labour. Just a warning for your fishermen. Now, once this is all decided I would love to see more of what your people are capable of. If it is all right with Seltyn i see no reason that we couldn't bring Velma back so long as she understands she may be treated as representative of your island."