Hearing Lady Ekaterina's mental announcement, Domayoku asks the dwarves.
"It appears the enemy camp are ravener elfs. Are they different from normal elves?"
"Thank you! My guild of adventurers are finishing up some recon, and will likely join us shortly" the half-fiend warrior smiled and nodded.
[dice=Diplomacy]1d20 + 24
Yes, Domayoku has to bend down, the ceiling is at five feet tall. The two dwarves seem to be more at ease with his comforting words.
"We call them dark elves. Not to be confused with drow. They are fierce warriors, if only they were more agreeable and robust."
[dice=Kn something ravener elves]d20+13
Ekaterina tries to figure out what ravener elfes are. Making use of her tears to wine and long hasting heroism buffs, before giving her answer.
Huddled figures self identified as ravener elfs, does anyone know what this means? She broadcasts to the nearby party.
Ravener is the family name of their tribe. Most of their names deal with being strong, but also are meant to drive fear into their enemies heart.
He requests and points out his thinking, "Amadea, would you be a dear and teleport me and others who need a rest back to the guild house. No reason for me to spend more time here. I will rest and then get back to my guild master duties. After eight hours we will return. Also through Lady Ekaterina and Amadea we can come and go at a leisure."
---
Once back at the guild house he separates from the group and heads to his private quarters. Mid travel he pulls off the black shroud which encompasses his ninja persona. Unless someone disturbs him he takes a bath and promptly goes to sleep. After the two hour rest he feels refreshed as if he had slept eight hours. Unless there is a request for his time he spends four hours sorting the vaults thankful that there has been some progress but there are thousands of items to be sorted and categorized. Finally two hours of intense cardio, strength training, and strike form.
Rejoining the others, Ginza remarks in his mind.
"So. Drow but not drow enough. Dark elves but not as dark as Drow. Even Elves here have complicated relations. What is it with their distaste for elves?"
Ginza remarks in his mind.
"So. Drow but not drow enough. Dark elves but not as dark as Drow. Even Elves here have complicated relations. What is it with their distaste for elves?"
:Are you kidding?!: Domayoku said over the hivemind. :Throughout fantasy, dwarves and elves had warred for years. Often in the ancient past. And both sides traditionally hold grudges against the other.:
"Yes. But in the game though they had an alliance. The game promised to be different in that regards. What has changed over the years? I remember doing a quest that needed me to broker and mediate a reconciliation between a caravan of dwarfs and trading post of elves due to other Human interference. Apologies Lady Ekaterina for using you as a relay. Should we gather instead?"
A moment please Ekaterina says to the Elfs
I need to relay some information. She relays various informational tidbits.
Would you consider taking on mercenary work For our Guild? If so, what are your exact capabilities? The easiest way for me to process this is telling me what the most powerful thing is you brought down, as a group and indidivually? Also, are there any races or professions you would not work for under any circumstances?
Ekaterina switches into HR-recruitment mode.
Ginza, how quickly can you organize a feast? I may have just found us a number of limited level employees which we could make use off
Ginza responds swiftly.
"Common fare 10 minutes tops. Roast boar and such half an hour with some magical help. Or Forest blessings" he counts off as he runs through the quick and easy recipes.
The two of them talk freely before Lady Ekaterina, "We have killed a lot. Though mostly for food. There was that raptor that nearly killed Vulcan. Oh right, and there was that rampaging dire boar. What is the pay, that is based on what we are willing to do... Hold on it seems you are serious about recruiting us, let me wake up the chief and the others." They then move to the other figures waking them from their meditations. After the elf gives the chief and the others the run down, the chief asks, "Its true what he said. If the coin is worth it you could ask for the moon."
Once the resting time has passed he returns with Amadea... it seems no one else went back to the Guildhall.
He is dressed as the black ninja again, with his wings blackened as well. He looks around and wonders, "Now where did they end up?"
Domayoku stays with the dwarves, learning their current defenses and seeing how he could help.
He characteristically says, "Heading back to the dwarven outpost, you ready to go? We just need to track down Amadea."
You are with the two guards out front,
Walking past the guards you find the height accommodations are still lacking. It seems like the dwarves walk just under the height restriction. A plank of stone upon two small columns of stone is the make shift bar. Upon the bar are dozens of tankards, most of them empty. There is about eight dwarves with pints and singing or passed out. There is no bartender. A fire roars in the fireplace, keeping the room warm. There are seven more tunnels like the first one. Short and cramped, barely enough room for a dwarf to walk.
It's amazing what one could do with simple fare and condiments.
Berries, Herbs, dried Jerky soften in boiled water seasoned with wild mushrooms with a dash of pepper and salt. Ginza is ready for their guests and he does it via mind speech towards Lady Ekatrina.
A single acknewlegement.
"Ready."
Well good sirs and Ladies, perhaps our meeting is auspicious enough to have a small feast? Ekaterina offers to led the moon elfs towards Ginzars location.
Incoming
With the sound of food, let alone a feast, the other elves are roused quickly enough and they follow Lady Ekaterina to Ginza's fire and bubbling cauldron.
Domayoku, there current defenses are to funnel the enemy and minimize what they can attack. The outpost seems sturdy enough, as there are large support beams nearly every 10 feet. Most of these are set into the stone itself.
"Astounding work and craftsmanship", Domayoku said with great satisfaction. "Normal work for dwarven hands, I'm sure. With your setup you could ride out most sieges. Which is why my guild is hear to provide much need support, yes?"
The dwarves look at the half fiend bewildered and say, "Huh?!"
Ginza and Lady Ekaterina spend hours with the elves making friends. As Domayoku takes the time to make friends with the dwarves. Amadea, Kazko, and Dominique appear in front of the outpost.
He mentally asks, ::Lady Ekaterina, we are outside of the Dwarven outpost, where did you end up?::
::A bit further outside, hiring some moon elves.::
Meanwhile, Ekaterina figures that a combination of symphonic metal with relatively martial texts is probably they to go with the Elfs.
To have a bit of a music along with the feast
The elves have enjoyed the food and the music. They are very amicable.
Ginza observes the elves as they partake of his simple repast and as
Lady Ekaterina proceeds to literally wine and dine them to recruit them to their side.
Kazko walks to the small entrance, a mere 5x5 feet. The rough tunnel is dark. After 40 feet it opens into a square room still 5 feet tall, with opposite doors and two armored Dwarven guards.
As Lady Ekaterina has wined and dined the elves for a good few hours. Then they start getting antsy.
He walks down the road with no one around to see him go.
Let us discuss terms of possible employment with our guild. She pauses
We have a selection of pretty powerful people indiviually, but are a bit light on manpower otherwise, we woudl seek to employ you for guarding, security and hunting duty.
Initial offenses will be done by our crack squad, you will be called up after these.
This is not to dishonour you, it is a point of pride for us to lead from the front, and to never expect or demand things of subordinates or contractors which we arent willing to do ourselfs.
If any of you wish to learn how to utilize firearms, or how to use songs in battle, I am available to train you if my timetable otherwise permits. I believe your kind has innate aptitude for both. Allow me to demonstrate.
She activates her performance, demosntrating the increase in dexterity and the spiritual allies she conjures. Spiritual allies looking like other Elfs for the Elfs and like a large adamantine skinned man for Ekaterina.
I have an Aranea, and a skilled alchemist working for me, both could likely improve your equipment as well. Gunsmithing has to be done by me.
Oh, dont mind the half balor, he fights hard, eats a lot but is otherwise pretty harmless.
You know your people and your capabilities far better then I, and you likely have alterations to propose, as well as expectations of renumeration. I would also offer my profane gift to you, should you indicate that you will accept it. It will allow us to communicate telepathically, and increase your abilities.
It also allows me to project some of my abilities through you, and any other entity seeking to mind control, dominate or mentally assault you has to contend with me, should it managed to penetrate your mental defenses.
I will be open, I could use my gift to attempt to charm or utilize suggestions against you, but I am willing to vow upon my power , pride and blood that I have never done so, nor will.
Should any of your warriors distinguish themselfs in combat, they have every right to ask me for my gift as well.
She makes her pitch
The leader obviously buzzed if not drunk relays, "That sounds amblicle... Gavin here will take your gift and the rest of us may take you up on that offer assuming you keep your word."
The male dark elf has long brown braided hair. He is strong and lithe. He reintroduces himself with a slight slur, "I am Gavin, the fleet footed one, head hunter."
Once they chill out from indulging in the alcohol provided they collects themselves. The leader asks, "The way you speak sounds like you would want our tribe. Am I right? Our normal rate is 5 silver for a week for most of us. Gavin and the elite are 24 silver a week as they are the strongest of us. Our tribe numbers roughly 600 warriors. We have three main warbands each about 200. We would like to be provided a feast once a week. A day once a month to have our celebrations. If you intend us to be guards we likely would rotate warbands to let two rest as one protects. We would also need to know what laws you wish us to uphold."
Greetings Gavin, which of your ability shall I enchance, Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Wisdom, Intelligence or Charisma?
Ekaterina opens her hair and advances upon him, looking him straight in the eye.
I believe a dance would be proper She draws him into a Tango, some of her hair subtly guiding him, while she uses her performance to have the spirits provide the music.
It is definitly on the hot side as far as Tangos go, and Gavin is a very very happy Elf as Ekaterinas wings eventually enfold him and he gets a deep sensual kiss, bestowing her gift upon him.
Gavin does enjoy the dance. He requests for his Dexterity to be increased.
The half-fiend warrior continues to admire and listen to the dwarves.
Ginza lays back as he studies the elves.
Considering what they've being doing would having these elves on their lands be good? In fact why hire them? It might be better for them to relocate, tribe and all. They did have the space after all.
It would make hunting easier as well.
The two guards stand ready, one of them asks Kazko, "First put down your cowl so we can get a better look at you."
The elves' stories give credit to their talent. They are great hunters, the bigger the game the better. They honor the beasts they hunt by using most if not all of the body, this can be seen by fur cloaks and extra padding. Let alone all the teeth and claws they have attached to leather armor, piercings, and jewelry.
"Men of the Mountain, this is one of my guild members, Kazko", Domayoku helped explain for the dwarves. "What can you tell us about the situation outside?"
The dwarves seem confused as one of them states, "We have never seen you before? What were you with those elves?"
As Domayoku hears Kazko's voice he walks over and opens the door to see the two guards confused about the troll. With his smoothing the situation they nod to Domayoku and allow Kazko to enter.
The main room is dirty, grimey, and spartan. There is a half dozen dwarves off duty, singing and drinking. Several tunnels leave the main room, all 5 ft . 5 ft.
Ginza lays back and watches as Lady Ekaterina somehow from hiring a few warriors to server talk the the elves into moving their tribes into more lucrative grounds and serve them as vassals as well in exchange for a rich and lush forest with rich hunting grounds and yet letting them contract out as mercenaries if they wished.
It seems to him as the rate the negotiations are going.
Domayoki walks with Kazko to a nearby table and offers him a dwarven ale, in an attempt to calm any dwarven nerves.
The half fiend fighter asks the troll under his breath. "What the Blue Blazes is going on out there!!"
The next moment you feel the telepathic field open up to you once more. Bob states ::Welcome back to the collective, how are things going?::
He mentally relays ::I took the liberty to move Amadea forward to the next outpost as the group seemed busy. If you are ready we can move forward. I am glad Bob is back with us.::
Domayoku responds, ::How many more dwarven outposts are we to visit to establish communications?::