The monk laughs sheepishly, smiles and shrugs.
Very well, and fair enough. But truth be told it was more an overwhelming curiosity than a play at advantage. Wherever the sands of time flow, I will flow with them and accept when my time ends. Presently I endeavor to prevent time being cut unnaturally, prematurely short for the multitudes by recent, dramatic developments.
The monk laughs sheepishly, smiles and shrugs.
Very well, and fair enough. But truth be told it was more an overwhelming curiosity than a play at advantage. Wherever the sands of time flow, I will flow with them and accept when my time ends. Presently I endeavor to prevent time being cut unnaturally, prematurely short for the multitudes by recent, dramatic developments.
Arsione regards Rokan with a puzzled expression at first, and then an unmistakable look of annoyance,
"The only lives that will be cut prematurely short are those who oppose the Truth which House Nicephorus and its steadfast allies shall soon bring to all the denizens of the Lands of the Seven Cities."
The battle on the promenade far below the Tower of Weeping Wounds continues to intensify as the members of the Compact of the Broken Tablet look on from their incredible vantage point upon the curious proceedings.
Not apparently taken by surprise, hardly noteworthy considering the Lady Arisone's assertion that this and similar assaults are a regular occurrence in her House's occupation of the large complex that once Housed the Royal Treasury of Kalidnay, House Nicephorus' defenders quickly assume a defensive ring around the opening of the entrance tunnel. The lumbering, crab-like automatons quickly move in front of the half-giant warriors, and begin to unleash a torrent of offensive fire upon the enemy combatants. For their part, the half-giants continue to prepare their own defense. One almost instantaneously vanishes into the tunnel, while several begin to launch their own volleys of offensive missiles at the giantess and her companions.
The aforementioned warioress Esilena Lore enters the battlefield upon a broad platform suspended by a sturdy rigging from an immense inflated bladder of some strange design, whose surface is a mottled mixture of orange and blood red whirls. This floating apparatus is attached by a hundred or so strong ties to a stone platform, likely weighing several tens or even hundreds of tons, that appears to have been ripped in one immense piece from somewhere in the ruins. It is made of the same beige granite which comprises the bulk of the ruins of Kalidnay. The corners of this platform are densely laced with the supporting rigging which connects it to the immense bulk of the vehicle's apparatus of levitation. Each cardinal direction houses an immense siege weapon, each of which is operated by a crew of the dog-headed warriors commanded by the giantess Esilena Lore. These have already proceeded to fire upon the retinue of House Nicephorus.
Arisone chuckles
"A petty provocation, and nothing more. They won't attempt to enter our compound, as their last effort to penetrate our defenses was an unmitigated disaster. Esilena sought to direct her flying craft over the summit of the Mazeworks, but our ingenious defenses sundered the powerful arcane forces which supported her vehicle's levitation. It crashed indecorously upon the rubble choked streets of the District of the Grand Exchequer, crushing several of the crew. The survivors fled pitiably."
So, all of this effort. What do you suppose she wants in for?
Rokan continues to try to gauge her reaction to the various elements of this attack.
So, all of this effort. What do you suppose she wants in for?
Rokan continues to try to gauge her reaction to the various elements of this attack.
"The giants of this future age are apparently the sworn enemies of the peculiar dragons who desire to reclaim their ancient territories. These dragons also, from my understanding, rely upon the same powers as the mysterious Naturebenders of the Blue Age and the dragon metamorphosis of the Sorcerer Kings and Queens."
Rokan nods.
Very well. It seems you have their intrusions well in hand. Have you ever had the chance to talk with them, potentially give them incentive to work for you? Better redirect energy than use your own to burn it off, if possible.
Rokan nods.
Very well. It seems you have their intrusions well in hand. Have you ever had the chance to talk with them, potentially give them incentive to work for you? Better redirect energy than use your own to burn it off, if possible.
Arsione smirks, and allows an undeniably pregnant pause in the conversation before responding,
"Well, we would be willing to engage in such diplomacy, if not for the fact that, a priori the giantess and her lupine followers have set their minds and blades against our cause. For you see, they have, in their own age, struggled mightily against dragons of some unknown species who wield the same enigmatic powers which the Litānu and its emissaries offer on behalf of our supremely just cause."
"We have, in point of fact, on several occasions dispatched representatives to the current headquarters of the giantess Esilena, a now-unpopulated garrison within the Upper City, to the north of our present location."
"In fact,"
Arisone narrows lemon-drop eyes as she scans the horizon,
"I believe it is possible you may be able to make it out from here,"
In another moment she appears to locate the object of her questing gaze, and points out a distant edifice,
"Look you there, Rokan of Tyr,"
On the distant horizon, Rokan can make out the substantial shape of a large structure that appears to be clad in a massive hide of some sort, as if a massive land shark were somehow hunted, skinned, and disassembled to sheathe the protective bulwarks of an adobe fortress. The strange armored cladding is secured to what must be a substantial mudbrick underworks by massive wooden spikes driven through the gaps in the rigid keratin plate at regular intervals. The fortress appears to consist of a massive outer wall of a roughly quadrangular shape that shelters a central keep of similar design.
"As well," proceeds Arisone, "there is the problematic alliance which these travelers have conjoined with the tareks and their allies. I believe glitterscale has already recounted to you the aggression which the tarek city-states of the Plain of Rolling Thunder harbor against his people, the flying pterrans of the Windrush Mountains. Doubtless, they and the agents of the Tyrant Tsepan of Cachamitar have poisoned the minds and hearts of Esilena and her cohort against any reasonable parlay."
Rokan squints as he attempts the spy the organic structure out at the horizon, taking in its details for several moments.
Verily, it is an anchor for them. How strong do you suppose their numbers are in that place? If not a frontal parlay, you could send an unassuming, aspiring recruit to join their ranks as a sort of plant. Or... are they even that untrusting that they don't grow their numbers from outside?
Rokan squints as he attempts the spy the organic structure out at the horizon, taking in its details for several moments.
Verily, it is an anchor for them. How strong do you suppose their numbers are in that place? If not a frontal parlay, you could send an unassuming, aspiring recruit to join their ranks as a sort of plant. Or... are they even that untrusting that they don't grow their numbers from outside?
"Well, we have at the very least observed that their current forces consist of the giantess herself, as well as several dozen of her canine forces. We must of course add to this now the tarek reinforcements that you already observed in our recent encounter at the Plaza of Power. There may be additional numbers of the tarek who have billeted with the giantess."
"I believe this structure to have once been named the Gulatek Fortress during the heyday of this ancient metropolis, and was the headquarters for a prominent mercenary band that made a name for itself fighting ravaging insectile hordes in the Crimson Savannah, and was thereafter incorporated gradually into the home garrison of Kalidnay."
Arsione muses upon Rokan's suggestion,
"It is possible that your gambit might be successful. They would have to be convinced that the aforementioned agent was not a duplicitous plant from our forces. They have already observed your person, so at the very least you would need to create an ingenious disguise. Doubtless, they are anticipating just such a strategem, and will thus possess means of detection. However, in principle it is a sound proposition, if it could be carried off successfully..."
Rokan sheepishly chuckles to himself, rubbing the back of his head at her suggestion. It's a highly unusual break from his usual stoic mannerisms.
Me? No, I was not suggestion that I... I could see how that's advantageous to you though, as someone who is not known to these foes. Let us speak of that possibility later.
He then turns from their vantage point back towards the internal structures of her domain.
Perhaps it is time we continued to our original threads that brought us to this meeting.
He waits to see if she proceeds from here.
Rokan sheepishly chuckles to himself, rubbing the back of his head at her suggestion. It's a highly unusual break from his usual stoic mannerisms.
Me? No, I was not suggestion that I... I could see how that's advantageous to you though, as someone who is not known to these foes. Let us speak of that possibility later.
He then turns from their vantage point back towards the internal structures of her domain.
Perhaps it is time we continued to our original threads that brought us to this meeting.
He waits to see if she proceeds from here.
Arisone nods, then turns to gesture at the imposing edifice of the Citadel,
"You are most fortunate that we are in fact expecting a visitation from the slassans and the Litānu this very evening, upon which occasion we shall make the necessary offerings to increase the numbers of the beetles of Shefqat."
She turns again to regard Rokan,
"I would be happy to offer you a tour of the premises while we await the arrival of our esteemed guests."
Rokan smiles warmly and nods, accepting her offer.
I would appreciate that.
He turns back to his other companions and nods forward in a beckoning manner.
Internally he's shuddering at the prospect of being so near some of the slassans, as they'd previously been a threat to his objectives.
Remain calm, and learn from this meeting... he thinks to himself.
Rokan smiles warmly and nods, accepting her offer.
I would appreciate that.
He turns back to his other companions and nods forward in a beckoning manner.
Internally he's shuddering at the prospect of being so near some of the slassans, as they'd previously been a threat to his objectives.
Remain calm, and learn from this meeting... he thinks to himself.
The seemingly interminable stairs which descend from the uppermost precipice of the Spire of Weeping Wounds, as well as the subsequent progression downward through the six monumental tiers of the impressive fortification which Arsione has identified as 'the Barbican', finally terminates in the dusty square at the base of the Citadel.
Before Rokan lies a small collection of buildings, some a single level, some of many architectural tiers, and similar in design to those observed elsewhere throughout the Kalidnay ruins -- white marble with some kind of glistening cladding on their uppermost structures, surrounds the open space, which contains a deep watering hole shaded by an elaborately-decorated pillared hypostle hall, as well as a collection of several colorful awnings that appear to represent some kind of open-air marketplace. Beneath the shade-coverings are assembled a motley collection of entities from several different species. There appear to be tribal humans, half-elves, and muls from the nearby desert wastes, red-skinned elf tribes from the Ceramic Desert to the west of the Kalidnay ruins, as well as others in fewer numbers that these aforementioned groups.
Rokan also cannot help but notice a half dozen of the distinctive purple togas which demarcate free citizens of Tyre among those gathered in the open space. Representatives of his home city state perhaps?
Rokan smiles warmly and nods, accepting her offer.
I would appreciate that.
He turns back to his other companions and nods forward in a beckoning manner.
Internally he's shuddering at the prospect of being so near some of the slassans, as they'd previously been a threat to his objectives.
Remain calm, and learn from this meeting... he thinks to himself.
The seemingly interminable stairs which descend from the uppermost precipice of the Spire of Weeping Wounds, as well as the subsequent progression downward through the six monumental tiers of the impressive fortification which Arsione has identified as 'the Barbican', finally terminates in the dusty square at the base of the Citadel.
Before Rokan lies a small collection of buildings, some a single level, some of many architectural tiers, and similar in design to those observed elsewhere throughout the Kalidnay ruins -- white marble with some kind of glistening cladding on their uppermost structures, surrounds the open space, which contains a deep watering hole shaded by an elaborately-decorated pillared hypostle hall, as well as a collection of several colorful awnings that appear to represent some kind of open-air marketplace. Beneath the shade-coverings are assembled a motley collection of entities from several different species. There appear to be tribal humans, half-elves, and muls from the nearby desert wastes, red-skinned elf tribes from the Ceramic Desert to the west of the Kalidnay ruins, as well as others in fewer numbers that these aforementioned groups.
Rokan also cannot help but notice a half dozen of the distinctive purple togas which demarcate free citizens of Tyre among those gathered in the open space. Representatives of his home city state perhaps?
The strange elf's piercing violet eyes narrow noticeably as he examines the small company of Tyrians,
"Well, well, well," Slavathras almost whispers as he clucks his tongue, "isn't that positively... curious? I had no conception that our embassy from House Vordon was not the only such presence in this corner of the Tablelands. But it would seem I was mistaken."
Rokan takes in the market scene, noting the many varied denizens.
Hmm, I wonder if she's looked for a satisfactory plan from among these options. So many unassuming options.
He notices Slavathras noticing his potential fellow Tyrians.
Indeed, I wonder when they arrived here.
He turns to Arisone and generally inquires.
How freely do different folk flow into this place? How often do new varieties of peoples arrive?
Rokan takes in the market scene, noting the many varied denizens.
Hmm, I wonder if she's looked for a satisfactory plan from among these options. So many unassuming options.
He notices Slavathras noticing his potential fellow Tyrians.
Indeed, I wonder when they arrived here.
He turns to Arisone and generally inquires.
How freely do different folk flow into this place? How often do new varieties of peoples arrive?
"Our rehabilitation of the ancient treasury for the purposes of our great mission have brought many peoples, some old travelers, some new friends of the road, to the hallowed ruins of Kalidnay. The doors of House Nicephorus are open to all who would inquire of the noble truths of Cytobarides the Discerning, the ancient philosopher of our distant homeland across the Sea of Silt whose most wise council still guides the actions of our people in the vagaries of the present age."
"The tides of these questors in general follow the rhythms of their of kind -- the elves of the Blood Stealer Tribe of the Ceramic Desert fit their habits of life to that of the waxing and waning of the water holes which shape their hunting season, for example."
Rokan nods, gazing at the bustling market for some time before turning back, remembering the path that they took.
That sounds beneficial all around. Your sturdy guards at the tunnel, how do they know who to let in? Do these folk come and go as they please or are they more or less locked in once vetted?
Rokan nods, gazing at the bustling market for some time before turning back, remembering the path that they took.
That sounds beneficial all around. Your sturdy guards at the tunnel, how do they know who to let in? Do these folk come and go as they please or are they more or less locked in once vetted?
"This plaza you see before you, which we have taken to referring to as the 'Court of the Well', contains the caravanserai to house our visitors, and is the designated location where they may erect stalls to market their wares. We do not permit them, except for rare occasions, to ascend to the heights of the Citadel."
"As you can see, Rokan of Tyr, the city of Kalidnay is beginning to stir to new life under the just and careful guidance of House Nicephorus of Balic. Your House Vordon embassy might, too, find a place within our burgeoning market. What think you? Might you bring such tidings to your mistress, the gentle Lady Almah of House Vordon of Tyr, inviting her caravan to share in our hospitality and new opportunities for trade."
Rokan nods in realization of the separation.
Ah, that makes sense. I wonder if, similar to my earlier musing, any of the attackers lie in wait there in the market.
He considers her offer, seeing it as an opportunity to touch base.
I would be glad to present that offer to House Vordon. After a short stay here I can venture back out from Kalidnay and return to the Pavillion.
Rokan nods in realization of the separation.
Ah, that makes sense. I wonder if, similar to my earlier musing, any of the attackers lie in wait there in the market.
He considers her offer, seeing it as an opportunity to touch base.
I would be glad to present that offer to House Vordon. After a short stay here I can venture back out from Kalidnay and return to the Pavillion.
.
Arisone smiles serenely,
"If you could engineer a rapprochement between House Nicephorus and House Vordon, it will be to the great benefit of many. There are powerful alterations swiftly arriving in the Land of the Seven Cities, and those who usher in these winds of change shall release the long-suffering populations of the city-states from the oppression of the sorcerer-kings."
"As I have already mentioned, a delegation from our allies is due to arrive in only a matter of hours, at which time we shall prepare another spawning of the Beetles of Shefqat. However, until that time I am at your disposal to survey the great work my esteemed house has commenced within these long-forsaken ruins. Doubtless, you will want to know more of our endeavors to provide so complete a report as possible to your mistress."
"So, direct my hand..."
Arsione closes with an expansive gesture that takes in the considerable grounds of the enclosure,
A familiar, uhnpleasant voice surfaces in Rokan's consciousness,
::::, so, bald man, what EXACTLY is your play here? I assume I don't need to tell you that we are currently in the midst of very perilous circumstances::::
We will not linger long, elf. I would like to leave her feeling as though she wasn't jilted abruptly, or that her pleasantries were not reciprocated in some small fashion. Let her finish her show of the facilities, and then we will depart for the moving pavilion of House Vordon.
He turns to Arisone and returns the warm smile.
Indeed, please, after you. Show me the lengths of your operations here, which I presume to be exacting and efficient. I can commit many details to memory easily.
We will not linger long, elf. I would like to leave her feeling as though she wasn't jilted abruptly, or that her pleasantries were not reciprocated in some small fashion. Let her finish her show of the facilities, and then we will depart for the moving pavilion of House Vordon.
He turns to Arisone and returns the warm smile.
Indeed, please, after you. Show me the lengths of your operations here, which I presume to be exacting and efficient. I can commit many details to memory easily.
"My hand is yours to guide -- what portion of our work do you most desire to witness that you may return with a fulsome report to your mistress?"
Very well. Where does the spawning of the Beetles of Shefqat occur? What manner of offerings are required to initiate this increase?