“I have thought of an offer that should satisfy all of that,” Nissa replies. “Something occurred to me as I was flying over the Dawnflowers… so we’ll need to agree as a team before mentioning it in front of the Atlanteans.
“But what I’m thinking only works if they don’t personally know the Prince. And for the reason I’m thinking they wouldn’t …or couldn’t.” Not wanting to leave her teammates in the dark, she says to them, “Among the tech taken from other worlds, there was a future version of Kai’s own invention. And he was in temporal stasis, so he could have been from the past, but I suspect our Prince isn’t even born yet.
“We won’t really know until we show the video.” She asks Kai, “Will Legion be our means of displaying the video for all to see?”
"Sure, I can rig up a projector."
"I'm fine with your plan. I've got nothing. Plus, we've no clue if my origin is an issue or not. So I'll stay on the sidelines for now."
Nissa confesses, “I don’t know if my understanding is correct. If the King of Coins knows the prince personally, then I’m likely wrong… though it would be quite the coincidence if the prince traveled to the future, then the past, and slept until we woke him in a time that his people in the present know him.
“But it’s not just the evident time-travel that makes me think ‘time loop.’ Portly warned us that there would be an Interplanetary War. That… was not a lie, it seems.” She asks Alashine, “Is there any magitech that can display my memory? I can show the Atlanteans the vision that the Prince’s AI guardian revealed to me.”
"Memory projection ... Actually, you might want to ask the Atlantean negotiators about that. They probably could find something," says Gilladhand.
As you walk, you leave the compound in which TAROT HQ is housed. You're obviously walking through a well-off area of Tarokh ... Or, that becomes obvious as you slowly descend the hill through less well-off and, then, through positively poor areas. In each of these class-stratified sectors, you see evidence of the ten-thousand gates that are supposed to exist in this city. Or, at least, you see such a wide variety of people and things and languages and cultures that it is clear they did not all come from here.
You see high magic and high tech. Most of this seems to be in the form of personal belongings. You see space cowboys with lasers on their hips. You see wizards. You see aliens. You even see what would appear to be an alien space cowboy wizard.
The only people interested in these exotic travelers are either selling something or new in town.
"We have access to a range of technology, magic, and magitech in Tarokh, but the Atlanteans have even more access," says the Marshall. "Travellers aren't supposed to leave such goods behind though, and, especially, they aren't to take them out of the city into the wider world."
You get to the harbour by noon. You're still there an hour later. The Atlanteans aren't. Twin towers sit on either side of the harbour in unnecessarily close proximity for lighthouses. One lighthouse would suffice to light the harbour.
You wait on a ship of elven design. It's luxurious, but still clearly a trading vessel. A couple times while you're there, a pair of half-orc sailors come to remove goods. The first mate makes a note when they are removed. "More coin for the King," someone jokes.
The Atlanteans make you wait about 2 hours before they arrive. When they do, the area of sky between the two towers shimmers and the largest gate you've seen opens. A fleet of five ships sails through. Each is different. Each is impressive. Three of them look like they are from the far future; one looks like a floating wooden sculpture, the fifth could be an Earth vessel from the age of sail.
Even the locals stop to gawk as the Atlanteans arrive.
Well. Wouldn't be much of a war if they have more of those. probably..a show of force instead of the norm. Zellgato ponders to himself. While also pondering the reason for the treaty if they were overly strong. Firmly deciding its a show of force; rather than the state norm for them. While also pondering the differences between all these worlds and his own
Gonna be a long or very short, day.
It takes another hour before the representatives from Atlantis arrive on the King of Coins' luxurious trading ship.
Trays of fruit, cheese, meat, and other less identifiable foods are served while you wait.
The five ships each dispatch a small group. None of them swim, although all of them clearly could. Each takes a smaller craft of some sort and arrives at the King of Coins' ship.
The first to arrive, and the most apologetic, is a creature whose upper half is more fish than human, but who walks on two legs. He looks quite a bit like Fish-Guy, a superhero from your world's past.
The second and third boats dispatch humanoids, with varying degrees of fishiness. Neither of them would be able to walk down the streets of a large American city without stares; they might get away with going out in public in Innsmouth though.
The fourth to arrive is a soft featured man with the air of a friendly accountant.
The last to arrive makes everyone wait another 20 minutes. He's a handsomish humanoid with a regal bearing. He could pass as The Prince's less attractive cousin.
Nissa transforms from fairy to woman-in-a-sundress in the king’s presence. She introduces herself very politely, curtsying as she says, “I’m Nissa can Donk. Thank you for inviting me aboard your ship.” She wouldn’t eat this morning, but she will accept some food on this ship. She’s less concerned about poison, and far more concerned about insulting her hosts.
When the last arrives, she says, “You resemble the prince that came to our world. I wonder if he’s a relative of yours.”
Descendant, Nissa suspects. There is nothing accusatory about her tone.
And Nissa is incredibly charming. This is not a facade. She is so sure of her time-loop theory that she truly believes the Atlanteans here are not like the murderous prince.
The man Nissa mistakes for the King of Coins is horrified. "His majesty will not be joining us, but I will pass along your appreciations," the man sniffs. He then smiles a little at Nissa and says, "I am to be responsible for your comfort during what I am sure will be strenuous negotiations. Do let me know if you want for anything."
You learn or have learned that the King of Coins is a wealthy merchant who controls much of the trade that comes through this harbour and owns the local shipyard.
"Is it true that the higher echelons of Atlantean society can trace their line back to Poseidon?" Theo abruptly poses a question, arms crossed.
"It is so claimed," says Fish-Guy's lookalike.
"It is a fact," replies the Atlantean who resembles the Prince. "Although, some are loathe to acknowledge that those with power in their veins ARE the higher echelons of Atlantean society."
"Well, this became political very quickly," mutters one of the others uncomfortably.
This entire conversation is taking place in Atlantean. The Atlanteans have a translator, a scruffy looking human. One of you can translate for the party?
Theo, now fluent in Atlantean, translates for the group.
Theo struck a nerve, Nissa mentally notes.
To the man who asked her what she needs, “Oh, actually, there is something I could use. I was told you might have access to magitech that will allow me to share my memories. We have footage of the murder from our security cameras, so the memory-sharing isn’t intended to build a case against the Atlantean Prince.
“I actually want to show a conversation between the Prince’s AI Guardian and myself, and a vision this Guardian revealed to me.”
Kai is busy gawking at anything that resembles tech, and the concept of magitech is especially intriguing. While they wait on the King of Coins' ship, Kai pokes around the ship itself for a while, then fiddles with Legion for a bit, setting up both a projector and recording equipment, asking the Marshal and Gilladhand if recording the proceedings is allowed in this context.
Then gets ready to witness the negotiatins, turning BINAH off entirely.
Charles stands in the back of the group, all four arms crossed, trying to keep from swishing his tail restlessly. He's far from certain about anything here, except for the fact that him talking is probably not a good idea right now.
The royal servant shrugs off Nissa's requests, but one of the Atlanteans says. "Why not just use a set of MindShare CircletsTM."
The Atlantean goes on to explain that these devices, used in the Re-Education Centers of World 2, allow one person to project their thoughts and memories into the heads of anyone wearing a companion device.
They can arrange for such a thing to be brought here rather quickly.
"Shall we start with introductions?" asks Gilladhanc.
Fish-Guy answers, "These gentlemen and myself are elected representatives of the Atlantean War Council. The War Council is the highest governing body on Atlantis and is responsible for Atlantean security and trade. I, am Pah."
He identifies the fishy-looking humans as Morlon and Jesk. The one who looks like an accountant, Pah identifies as Keileni. Finally, the one who looks like the Prince's less athletic cousin he names Eleu.
After the introductions, Pah the Fish-Guy says, "Forgive me, but can we take this to the meeting room. Standing in this sun is an unpleasant experience for my kind." It isn't a particularly sunny day; it's actually rather pleasant.
Zellgato remains near Charles; letting the more friendly charasmatic Nissa and solid history Theo lead the conversations. Zellgato instead focuses on keeping track on visitors and watchers.
If Nissa missed an opportunity to introduce herself to anyone, she does so now, this time including her title—“Nissa van Donk, the Subatomic Bombshell.” She also introduces any of her companions if they do not introduce themselves.
“And yes, I think we should meet where you will be comfortable, Pah. After all, the goal of this conversation is to prevent a war between our worlds. Any hostility, including an environmental one, is detrimental to what I sincerely hope—and at the moment, believe—is our mutual goal.”
She decides that any elaboration should wait until the meeting officially begins.
"It's not 'pah,'" says the Fish-Guy smiling a fishy smile, "It's 'pah.'"
“Pah,” Nissa repeats in perfect Fishguyese, smiling pleasantly.
"Theo Nephus, Known on my world as The Olympian. Godling of Zeus, The Thunderer," Theo introduced himself. Turning to the Atlantean, the godling adds, "And apparently very distant cousin to many Atlanteans." Theo finished with a small nod.
"Well done. Even the Atlantean humans have some trouble with that 'p'. It's all in the lips, you see." Pah extends a scaly arm to Nissa inviting her to walk with him, "Let's head to the lower decks together, shall we?"
Eleu, the one who looks like the Prince, walks with Theo. Somehow between the deck and the meeting room Eleu manages to mention that he's a 'pure-blooded' Atlantean. Then, he asks, "So, who is this Zeus you speak of? A cousin of the mighty Poseidon?"
It's a large enough ship that you can walk side-by-side down the steps to the meeting room. Crates sit in the corners of a room that has been otherwise set up for a meeting. Burlap has been thrown over the crates to hide them, but some peak out. BY the various stamps and marks on them, they come from all over this world, or perhaps from others.
Kai is busy gawking at anything that resembles tech, and the concept of magitech is especially intriguing. While they wait on the King of Coins' ship, Kai pokes around the ship itself for a while, then fiddles with Legion for a bit, setting up both a projector and recording equipment, asking the Marshal and Gilladhand if recording the proceedings is allowed in this context.
Then gets ready to witness the negotiatins, turning BINAH off entirely.
Kai, turning off BINAH, begins to get impressions of the people as they are introduced.
Pah is a gentle soul.
Eleu is greed and anger.
Morlon isn't sure why he's here.
Jesk is still trying to figure out who everyone is.
Keileni is trying to figure out how much people are worth.
Eleu, the one who looks like the Prince, walks with Theo. Somehow between the deck and the meeting room Eleu manages to mention that he's a 'pure-blooded' Atlantean. Then, he asks, "So, who is this Zeus you speak of? A cousin of the mighty Poseidon?"
"Zeus is Lord Poseidon's younger brother. Lord Zeus rules the sky and all that flies in it, while Lord Poseidon rules all oceans and all that swim. From what I understand, Lord Poseidon prefers his domain over living in Mount Olympus, The Home of The Olympian Gods", Theo explained.
Eleu seems impressed. "Zeus is the God of birds then? Are there other things that live in the sky?"
"I'm sure there are, depending on the world," Theo smiled, realizing the Atlantean is trying to goad him. "Zeus, Poseidon, and Lord Hades, ruler of the Underworld, are often known as the Three Brothers, The most powerful Gods of Olympus."
"Kai." Kai leaves off the last name, pretty sure these people were not interested. How to put this into terms they would be familiar with? "Scientist and crafter," is what Kai settles on after a moment of thought.
As they walk below decks, Kai falls in with Morlon and Jesk, the fishoid humanoids. "I would be grateful if you shared with me the correct pronounciation of your names." It seems like such details carry some weight in the Atlantean society. "It is my first time visiting a world other than my world of origin, but I expect you get to travel quite a lot in this function, is that not so?"
Nissa accepts the scaly arm.
She imagines a Halloween treat: Arm Candy, now in Fun Size!
As they walk below decks, Kai falls in with Morlon and Jesk, the fishoid humanoids. "I would be grateful if you shared with me the correct pronounciation of your names." It seems like such details carry some weight in the Atlantean society. "It is my first time visiting a world other than my world of origin, but I expect you get to travel quite a lot in this function, is that not so?"
[dice=Culture]1d20+14
[dice=Diplomacy]1d20+9
Morlon and Jesk repeat their names.
"I have visited five worlds," says Morlon.
"You have visited FOUR worlds, says Jesk. "You didn't come with us when we settled the Vorlog Conflict."
"Oh, that's right. Four worlds," agrees Morlon. "We have negotiated many agreements, but only on four worlds."
"The majority of Atlanteans are our people," adds Jesk as an off-hand fact.
Pointing at Gilladhand, Jesk asks Kai, "Is it true that this elf negotiated the first peace and trade agreement between Atlantis and the TAROTverse? That would make him over hundred years old!"
When everyone reaches the meeting room, finds the chairs arranged for them, and takes a seat, Gilladhand begins.
"We are here to maintain the peace that currently exists between two worlds," begins Gilladhand.
"A peace that has been violated," complains Eleu.
"Perhaps," says Gilladhand. "But, from what I understand, this began with the discovery of an Atlantean invader under the oceans of their world."
"Any Atlantean ship found should have been returned IN ONE PIECE to Atlantis. That is the treaty we have made with the TAROTverse," Eleu argues.
Before Gilladhand can take control of the meeting, Pah says, "I would like to hear about how they found this ship and what happened to it. I understand they were in deeper waters than surface dwellers usually go and that you were LOOKING for Atlantean artifacts...Tell us what happened."
He waves a finned arm to the party. "Please, let us hear from the people who were there."
Nissa turns to Pah, “That’s true. We were looking for Atlantean artifacts. The ocean is called the Atlantic Ocean, so we believed that there was an undersea city. We wanted to learn.
“And what we found is a red ship. Sea creatures tried to defend the ship, though we meant no harm. Once we dispersed the sharks, we saw there was a person in the ship. He was in a temporal stasis… I mean… imagine if we left him there. His body would never die, but never experience anything. It would be like having your soul asleep forever. It’s worse than death. We couldn’t just leave him.
“We tried being careful, but Zellgato and I got too close. We ended up in stasis as well, but conscious—existing in a moment, with time moving for us, and also for an AI version of the prince.”
If AI needs to be explained, Nissa will suggest Kai handle that part.
“I’m willing to don a MindShare Circlet, Pah, if you would like to see the conversation between the Guardian and myself.”
For the benefit of others, “The gist is that the Guardian entrusted us to rescue the Prince. He deemed us worthy because we didn’t kill every shark. Just one. And we clarified our intent was to rescue the prince. His ship exploded within seconds, and we were warned this self-destruct mechanism was set to trigger thousands of years ago just before the temporal stasis was activated.
“Zellgato and I took a personal risk to pull the prince from his ship and shield him from the blast.”
"Before we undertook the exploratory mission. I performed a ritual by the sea to ask for Lord Poseidon's favor to grant us safe passage, knowing The God of The Sea felt strongly about Atlantis", Theo explained. "With his blessing, our team was able to mitigate the worst of the dangerous undersea environment. Sadly the Guardian's sharks where not a part of the blessing and myself and Charles were injured rescuing The Prince."
"What make of ship was it?" asks Morlon.
"Did enough of the ship survive the explosion for it to be reconstructed?" asks Fisk.
"What happened next?" asks Pah attentively.
Kai replies to Jesk. "In all honesty, I do not know. Interdimensional trave is very new to me, and I am not up to speed with the history of TAROTverse. But I have heard that elves can live for a long time."
As the meeting begins and Pah asks for an account of what happened, Kai interjects to offer some context on the purpose of their search.
"Honoured Pah, please allow me to explain how we came to be there. First, I would like to mention that until a few days ago, our world was convinced that Atlantean civilization was a myth from our distant past." For context, Kai projects images of how various historians and artists imagined the city of Atlantis. "We were at that location searching for a fragment of the wand, which came into our possession broken. We detected a source of transdimensional radiation and dove deeper to investigate." Kai accompanies the account with recordings of their underwater expedition.
As the others recount other parts of their encounter, Kai projects relevant recordings - videos of their underwater fight with the giant octopus and the sharks, the diving bell, the Atlantean ship, the prince attacking Nissa, her mech self-destructing. Close-up recordings cease when the ship explodes and Legion is destroyed, although Kai makes sure to subtly draw attention to the fact that the drone was positioned to shield the prince and Nissa from the worst of the blast.
Kai's revelations get Eleu and Keileni excited, but at different parts.
"A Wand? With the wreckage of an Atlantean ship? This is very interesting. What other artifacts are you returning to us?" asks Keileni.
Eleu leans forward when Kai projects the Atlantean fighting, "Look at him! He truly has the powers described in the legends! Let those who doubt the stories of the pure-blooded Atlantean warlocks do so now in the face of incontrovertible evidence. Where is this warlock of the old gods? When can we meet him?"
Nissa smiles at Pah’s curiosity. “I think you should see the ship for yourself with the MindShare.
“As for repairing it… well… the destruction didn’t end there. The prince thought we were attacking him. The Guardian warned cud he might think us enemies, and—” She adds in Atlantean, <while some of us have studied the Atlantean language since the rescue>
Not wanting to push her luck too far, she goes in in English, “—the language barrier did not help. The prince used pieces of his ship as his weapons, flinging them at the machine I was piloting.
“To show I mean no harm, I willed my machine to explode from the inside.”
Nissa is pretty sure her supernova is way more impressive than the Prince’s wussy telekinesis. She sees how the crowd reacts to her move.
"The wand came to us. And we are keeping it." Theo flat out states. "Are you tell me The Atlantean Empire needs another wand? You must have dozens."
When Nissa reveals the Prince attacked the group Eleu smiles and says proudly, "Of course he did."
Despite obviously believing the Prince would attack you, a moment later he refers to the whole incident as self-defense, "Atlantis has the rights to access all Atlantean archaelogy and reclaim Atlantean artifacts on all worlds in the TAROTverse. Likewise, we have a right to self-defense against attacks on our people."
Keileni jumps right in, "Clearly, our treatise with the TAROTverse has been broken, which means renegotiation of all terms, including licensing and marketing agreements."
The impressions Kai had of them are only reinforced. Eleu hungers for power; Keileni hungers for wealth.
Pah shakes his fishy head.
Kai notices Pah's reaction and watches him closely for further tells while elaborating. "It was only a small fragment of the wand that we found at the site where the ship was, and it was not in or near the ship. And nobody attacked the prince, we really went out of our way to help him."
Kai shows some more images, this time inside the Starfish with the prince being healed. Kai gives Nissa a pointed look when repeated mentions of TAROT worlds are made, since Earth is technically not a TAROT world. Yet.
Time to throw Eleu some bait. "The one we found, it sounds like not all Atlanteans are as powerful as him? His capabilities were certainly impressive."
"Unfortunately," says Eleu, "Things are not what they once were. The power that use to flow through the veins of true-blooded Atlanteans has been much diminished. You must return our citizen at once."
"...and the wand," adds Keileni.
Nissa says to the one who said clearly-blah-blah-broken:
“We didn’t know the treaty existed until after we rescued the Prince. And the only reason we found out is because, first thing we did when we arrived at headquarters, we contacted Marshall Alashine. We mentioned the Prince, and the wand—which is definitely not the Prince’s, by the way. We found pieces of it on two separate journeys.
“Anyway, we expressed our interest in getting the prince back home. We were told, by the Marshall, that we’d need to pass the Celestials test to earn the wand—which we did. We were on the Olympian’s world, just Theo and I, and we simply needed the wand to recharge and then the plan was to get your prince back home.
“And there would be no trouble at all if not for the murders. Murders that were provoked, it seems, by the mildest insult. We put together a montage of the incident. Our security camera and a handheld camera recorded all, including the murder, the manipulation of a hostage—which is a sex crime—and while cowardice is not a crime, you will see this prince disgraced himself by falling to his knee, denouncing his place as an Atlantean Prince, declaring he is not to be avenged and that he will remain on our world and accept whatever punishment our world gives him. And that no Atlantean is to act against our world on his behalf… or at all.”
Nissa then turns to Kai and asks, “Would you please show the video?”
"The majority of Atlanteans are our people," adds Jesk as an off-hand fact.
Zellgato is quiet during majority of the conversation, adding in portions concerning the undersea adventure, in addition adds to the conversation,
"I assume they contacted Nissa; as I am not a member of that world, and hail from a separate world. I am a guest currently.
Zellgato makes it known he is not of the world for the record, upon letting Nissa finish her storytelling.
Eleu begins to huff when Nissa begins speaking. Each criticism of the Prince he has never met offends him more. None of the others seem surprised by what she is saying, but they do get uncomfortable. Eleu is the only one who gets angry.
When the video starts playing, it's Keileni who stands first. He shouts, "We are only seeing what you want us to see, and these Mind Circlets we discussed are not Atlantean technology. I doubt we could trust them to be any more honest than this show you have put on for us! We give you 24 hours to return the Warlock, the Wand, and any other artifacts you have found or the treaty with the TAROTverse will be renegotiated."
Eleu is fuming at the video evidence of the Prince's cowardice. "Lies!" are all he manages to say.
Slowly raising his hand in order to gather attention upon himself, waiting patiently for the neutral mediator to give him the floor. Zellgato frames a question to the neutral mediator party Gilladhand, "If I may ask, What are the terms for self-defense, invasion of worlds-both in TAROT and not, as well as citizens of the treatied worlds?"
The Olympian sighs. "We have access to a Sword of Truth. You can be present when we ask The Prince within it's truth-telling field", Theo first says to Keileni, then to Eleu.
Gilladhand explains, "No Atlantean may commit a hostile act against citizens of the TAROTverse lest, so doing, they lose the protection afforded to any Atlantean on these worlds. The same goes for citizens of the TAROTverse on Atlantis."
"He was your prisoner!" Eleu claims without evidence. "OF course he tried to escape. Is not holding someone prisoner a hostile act?"
Eleu storms out of the meeting room.
Keileni isn't far behind him.
Pah says, "Oh, dear."
Morlon and Jesk look around confused but then begin to stand.
"'Pah. Clearly you're the only adult in your committee," Theo said with a pleasant even tone. "What are your thoughts on what we brought forth to the discussion? Do you think this can be resolved peacefully?"
Nissa can’t get a read on these loud asshoIes. But Pah seems decent. They aren’t united…
“If you want the unedited version, we have it. But y’know that Sword of Truth Theo’s talking about?”
She turns to Gilladhand, and says ever so sweetly, “—if I may be so bold to ask this now, Gilladhand…”
Again facing the Atlanteans, she says, “I will then swear that I have been completely truthful to you, and am here with the intent of preventing an Interplanetary war. Then I will ask the two of you, Keileni and Eleu, to say the same. Since you are so quick to accuse me of lying, let the sword bring mutual assurance.”
☀️
Her eyes flare.
“Your people agreed to speak under the power of a Sword of Truth on Tarokh. That was my term communicated over the mirror; you agreed.
“Out of decorum, I respected Gilladhand’s advice to leave the sword in its scabbard. But you have the audacity to use the peace treaty to strongarm us? So tell the TAROTverse why you would threaten the peace over a prince you don’t even know. Has he even been born yet?
“Enlighten me.”
Metal plates of sunlight converge onto Nissa’s sundress. Her armor then glows brighter than before, with wings of light spreading from her back.
“Because if you’re gonna disrespect me after I did all in my power to bury my feelings for those innocent victims—after I let a smug, remorseless sociopath live when every fiber of my being wanted to do to him what I did to that machine—then dis me. Your tone can be as venomous as the most toxic of snakes. But at least the sword will keep you from lying like one.”
Pah watches the others leave and says to Nissa, Theo, Kai, and Charles, "I am afraid that my colleagues are not comfortable with the truth of what they have seen so far. I do think, Theo Nephus, Known on your world as The Olympian, Godling of Zeus, The Thunderer, that this can be resolved peacefully."
"Nissa Van Donk, would you and your companions dine with me aboard my ship tonight. Bring your Sword of Truth and I will find my MindShare CircletsTM. Together we will find an understanding that breeds peace."
"If that is allowed by Mr. Gilladhand, I'd be honored", Theo said with a small bow.