The group travels forward taking the scenic route and watching as the surroundings change from one locale to another. As Dominique said there are many different farming villages on the route you take but they are also defended well keeping monsters at bay with magic and guards. One of the farms is actually a spidersilk farm where they tend and feed the spiders, then collect their silk one way or another.
Then the group gets to the capital. As you have been in tunnels you do not see it on the horizon. But you are greeting by two statues of dwarven lords some two hundred feet tall each. The greatarchway is just that, the doors are not there.
Dominique goes up to the guards and offers them his symbol and they nod to him.
He relays to the group and then asks, "With our guild symbol, we can gain access to a lot of locations as gold adventurers. Come... where shall we go? To the baths? To a restaurant? Or just straight to the point and head to see the kind? I would suggest we do it in the order that I offered. The king is particular."
The group travels forward taking the scenic route and watching as the surroundings change from one locale to another. As Dominique said there are many different farming villages on the route you take but they are also defended well keeping monsters at bay with magic and guards. One of the farms is actually a spider silk farm where they tend and feed the spiders, then collect their silk one way or another.
The half-fiend warrior marvels at the harvesting of spider silk, truly entertained and informed.
Then the group gets to the capital. As you have been in tunnels you do not see it on the horizon. But you are greeting by two statues of dwarven lords some two hundred feet tall each. The great archway is just that, the doors are not there.
Again, Domayoku marvels at the beauty and construction of the massive dwarven statues. On Earth, Domayoku's player loved going to museums and planetariums. Despite his frightening appearance, Domayoku was truly enjoying this excursion in to dwarven lands.
"With our guild symbol, we can gain access to a lot of locations as gold adventurers. Come... where shall we go? To the baths? To a restaurant? Or just straight to the point and head to see the kind? I would suggest we do it in the order that I offered. The king is particular."
"Well, if seeing the King isn't an immediate emergency," Domayoku deposited, "I'd like to buy some nobleman clothing, so I look presentable when meet the King."
He cordially responds, "Ah that is a good idea too, baths first? Trust me with the joint I plan on taking you too, you won't have to bathe for a week even with exercise and adventuring. It might be a bit spendy but it is well worth it!"
Sounds great, do you have an idea how the king reacts to half Demons? Do I get murdered by the queen as soon as I flash my eyelashes? Ekaterina asks jokingly.
"Oh he is going to see you and lock you up in your own concubine room." He responds with his own joke.
As you follow Dominique's suggestions he guides you into what looks like a roman bathhouse with granite columns. Inside you see that it is a massive spa with all the fixings. Dominique pays for the groups expenses. Which includes any food or drink you request and any of the services the spa offers including cleaning, oils, massages, and more. You can either stick together or go be taken care of privately. As Dominique does take a private room so his identity remains secret.
Domayoku opts to stick with others. It'll be a great opportunity to show off his body and maybe check out other members as well. The half-fiend fighter gets the full treatment: bath, massage, oils. The works. Domayoku is not shy about showing off his fiendish body.
Ginza likely enjoys a slime bath or just waits outside. Bob enjoys being scrubbed directing the servers.
Several hours later, many of you lose track of time, you emerge from the bathouse clean, invigorated, and smelling of one fragrance or more. Dominique in his Dark Dragon ninja outfit waits outside.
He leads the group to a fine clothing store that are willing to make any adjustments.
Ekaterina is curiously tense in the spa. As if she is focussing on something,
as she exchanges various pleseantries with the spa workers.
She seems to be uneasy, there is occassional hunger in her eyes and she looks specifically away from a particularrly pretty spa working lady.
"Feeling better?" Domayoku asks Lady Ekaterina as they enter the dwarven fine clothing shop.
The half-fiend warrior relies on the dwarven tailors who measure his body on the best style to wear before their king. Domayoku makes small talk and gets pointers from the fashion experts.
None of the commoners would notice anything abnormal of Ekaterina.
After the initial shock, with Domayoku's words they settled. They work diligently. They respond with small talk and offer pointers.
Ginza doesn't do much except follow the rest as he considers the difference this world with the world they knew once as a game.
Time difference aside, it seemed that everything would have being what the game would have being when it underwent their updates or would have.
Now with new suits, Dominique lays some coins on the shop keepers cutting table. He asks, "How much was it? Ah yes." Then he lets a few more platinum fall on the table. A total of 16 coins.
He then follows the group out of the clothing store and asks, "Where else did you want to go before seeing the king?" Once the group states they are ready he pulls out a stone and the swirls on it begin to glow. Then he waits for a few more seconds before stating, "Okay he has an opening in four hours. Though if we get there sooner we might be seen sooner, it is far better than to be missing your appointment."
With that he likely leads the group up to the royal quarter pointing out many of the nobles' houses along the way. He stops at the guards and shows his guild token and they let him and the rest of you through.
Domayoku looks to his guildmaster. "I'm okay to arrive early. Better than being late. Might look good, considering our general appearance."
He nods with agreement and leads the group rather straight towards the end of the massive cavern. All the walls are emaculated sculpted into columns or statues. The ceiling is dark and far enough away you can't see it's form. The floor is three foot stones set so well you can barely see the creases between each block. There are fountains, gardens, and random structures that look like covered gazebos.
The first gate house has minimal security, the guard checks the list and states, "Your appointment isn't for four hours. Is there a type of room you would like to wait in or you can come back later?"
The half-fiend audibly marvels at the dwarven craftsmanship.
"Ah! This is what I'm talking about! They could charge coin for guided tours of this place!!"
"Your appointment isn't for four hours. Is there a type of room you would like to wait in or you can come back later?"
"Whatever's comfortable and appropriate, sir." Domayoku gives a slight bow to the gate guard.
He quickly responds to Domayoku, "Indeed, without an appointment and the guild token it could cost anywhere between 10 and 500 gold coins."
He then asks the group mentally, ::They have many libraries, which would you like to wait in, which specific field?::
"Culinary!!" comes Ginza's instant reply.
With Ginza's suggestion he requests that the group be escorted to a library on culinary design.
There are servants that are here to bring you what you may need. Armed guards stand at the exits to the library watching your actions.
Although Culinary wouldn't be Domayoku's first choice, the half-fiend warrior joins the other finely-attired members of Götterdämmerung. Once in the cooking library, Domayoku requests a dwarven ale as he peruses the shelves of various cookbooks. Should the godling monk come across any particularly good looking recipes, he brings them to Ginza's attention.
Unlike those who are not in the guild, few knew of how fast a reading speed that Ginza posses and combined with a near photogenic memory augmented with the system. Add that Ginza was currently in his combined form which means there was in effect 4 minds working in conjunction on reading the books and proves that reading a book takes barely 5 minutes.
Ginza consumes the book's content with a fearsome speed. Adding them to his vast store of recipes already committed to his own memory and knowledge and sifts out those he already knew while taking in those he didn't which wasn't many.
It seemed clear that the knight was likely to finish reading the entire library before the Summons for the Audience was granted.
Ekaterina finds a sizeable treatise concerning brewery, starts copying things quickly.
Most of the books in the libraries are in dwarven as most of them were made by dwarves. There are a few selections of other books by other races.
After three hours of 'waiting' the doors to the North open and a herald states in dwarven, "His Majesty will see you know. Please follow me." With that some of the guards escort you.
Walking through several hallways glittering with treasures or at least relics of past ages, kings, or events; you see a set of golden doors with a lion motiff engraved into the metal. The guards besides the door open them. They will follow you into the throne room and stay on either side of the doors as the other guards wait outside.
The herald intones, "Your Majesty, your guests have arrived from Götterdämmerung. With the Dark Dragon at their lead and other members who wish to greet you personally."
The king nods sitting on his gem encrusted massive throne in luxurious clothes. Though their style seems more for comfort than anything else, but are of fine quality. We waves you forward adding a few of his own words, "Come my friend! Dark Dragon we have missed you. I know my soldiers have missed you more. Come tell me how you may serve the crown and grow prosperous together!"
Domayoku kneels before the dwarven monarch. "Hail to thee, King Under The Mountain! I am Domayoku, Godling Monk and Friend to The Dwarven People and Their Vaulted Culture!"
Greetings your grace, we have heard some aspects of your valor and mettle from Dominique, but certainly you can tell us more about your glories?
Please, among my people there is a ritual of drinking together to celebrate a first meeting
The kind motions with his hand, a servant goes and collects the gift. He takes it to one of the dwarves off to the side in religious clothes. After a spell the cleric or priest nods. The servant takes the gift to the king. Who then drinks heartily from it. He waves his hand and servants bring forth mugs and pitchers which you soon find out is dwarven ale. Each of you are presented with a mug from a servant. The king then states, "Drink and come forward! Oh you want to hear of my glories! Bard!!!" A trio of dwarves move forward each with an instrument and one begins to tell the tale of the epic of the king and the horde of orcs of the Red Hand. Obviously and over exajuration but not all the glory is to the king but to his soldiers, heroes, and his generals.
The dwarves party hard with the alcohol flowing for all to drink. The bards continue to tell the tales of their king, of his father, and his father. The king and his advisors are glad to meet the Dark Dragon's team and glad for your demeanor.
The next day the King calls your group to meet with his generals. At least the generals that are still here in the capital. The generals give reports about events around in the kingdom. They have good report that they have not lost any more land and have held the line against the empire. One of the generals even tells of how the Dark Dragon was the one to single highhandedly lead the way to claiming a lot of their lost land. Too bad for the villages there as the enemy put them to the torch. There is a large no man's land now and much of the vegetation was burnt too.
The king then asks, "Are you on our side? Will you fight for my kingdom? We understand if you would like to learn more about the enemy first."
"I'd be honored to fight for The Dwarven People, your Majesty!" Domayoku says as he stands to salute the monarch.
"That is what we are here for, your grace." Ginza responds
Information is ammunition, an overview of this Empire would be useful, I am a relatively able infiltrator, but require additional information before embarking on such missions. Ekaterina answers diplomatically.
Where I come from, empires typically have subdivisions, that are not entirely united so to speak, the more I know about their interior an external situation, the easier it becomes to, for example convince notables in different Imperial regions that lobbying against the conflict with the Dwarfen Realm is in their interest.
The king waves and says a name, "Markas!"
A dwarf with a graying beard comes forth and states, "I am here majesty. Let me take the point on this. I am one of the King's wise men and we are all sages or scholars. You want an overview of their empire? Our spies have not left our lands, at least none have returned after going through the portal. What we do know is that most of their forces are human. They have beasts with some of their patrols. They have knights and footman, as their leadership are wizard warlords.
Yes to our knowledge there are sub divisions. Each of our lands that were conqured were taken over by a warlord. It seems that they value magic users above someone without. What else would you like to know?"
Understood, given the paucity of information, I shall make it a priority to capture and subvert some of their at least middle managment if not leadership positions. I am fairly confident in my charms once a target has been identified and isolated
She pauses
You mentioned a portal? Has it been established that they are on the same plane? If yes, I can bestow my gift upon a volunteer to establish a permanent telepathic means of communication. Also, do you have pictures, uniform pieces, anything akin to that? A dead not yet decomposed body would also do, the more information I have, the longer I can keep up a disguise. I have some concerns about moving directly into what may well be a very well fortified and heavily trapped position on the other side, perhaps it would be prudent to establish some alternative mode of entry.
She does make notes in a journal as she speaks, very much adopting a persona of a veteran spy.
Is anything known about their religious affiliations? Impersonating something they worship can also work rather well. Since the more interesting targets are wizards, I would like to avail myself of some of these anti-spellcaster manacles your kind does make would be of considerable utility.
Concerning my gift, there are some private details about it which I would discuss with possible volunteers. It is somewhat equivalent to the profane gift of a Succubus, although it is more symbiotic and less parasitic overall. She finishes
A dwarf with a graying beard comes forth and states, "What we do know is that most of their forces are human. They have beasts with some of their patrols. They have knights and footman, as their leadership are wizard warlords.
Yes to our knowledge there are sub divisions. Each of our lands that were conqured were taken over by a warlord. It seems that they value magic users above someone without. What else would you like to know?"
"Markas, do we know what they call themselves? Are the part of an established kingdom with diplomatic ties?"
You mentioned a portal? Has it been established that they are on the same plane? If yes, I can bestow my gift upon a volunteer to establish a permanent telepathic means of communication. Also, do you have pictures, uniform pieces, anything akin to that? A dead not yet decomposed body would also do, the more information I have, the longer I can keep up a disguise. I have some concerns about moving directly into what may well be a very well fortified and heavily trapped position on the other side, perhaps it would be prudent to establish some alternative mode of entry.
She does make notes in a journal as she speaks, very much adopting a persona of a veteran spy.
"Yes the portal, is on the Endding Peninsula. They have connected it to their lands. A quicker trip than to send armies over the seas. Yes we believe they are from the same plane. Though we have little to confirm that. That would be great as we are about ready to send another team of spies to the heart of their encampment and hopefully through the portal. What kind of pictures would you want? We have an assortment of their uniforms. A few of our prisoners have died you could use their bodies, though we do have several dozen of their warlords and a few hundred of their soldiers in prisons."
Is anything known about their religious affiliations? Impersonating something they worship can also work rather well. Since the more interesting targets are wizards, I would like to avail myself of some of these anti-spellcaster manacles your kind does make would be of considerable utility.
"They honor many of the dieties, though they hold their golden king as the deity that guides their kingdom. We will have several pairs of them in your chambers." He claps and looks toward a duo, who quickly nod and retreat from the chamber likely following the given orders. Then he relays, "We really don't have too many of them. We have primarily used bindings and fatigue to keep the casters from casting any spells."
Concerning my gift, there are some private details about it which I would discuss with possible volunteers. It is somewhat equivalent to the profane gift of a Succubus, although it is more symbiotic and less parasitic overall. She finishes
The advisor nods his understanding, "We will make a few requests of a few of the advisors to gain such a blessing. Also the spy group will be on standby to make connections and gain the blessings before they leave."
"Markas, do we know what they call themselves? Are the part of an established kingdom with diplomatic ties?"
Markas relays, "The opposing empire is Grand Victory, a nation ruled by magic. Their warlords are illusionists. We did not know of them thus no diplomatic ties."
"Could we speak with these prisoners that you have." Ginza speaks up from the back.
Markas nods, "That could be arranged, especially since some of you are planning on taking on their shapes."
My own preference for dealing with prisoners is to not harm them, but using my skills and abilities to make them speak is fine, which includes magical abilities. Is this in line with the law here?
Ekaterina asks politely.
Markas relays, "They are prisoners of war, so they have no rights, we see them the same as slaves. Which we prefer not to use. Though do to the Dark Dragon's request we have treated them well. Given all their basic needs and a bit more."
"Then can we see them? I'd like to study them if we're taking on their forms."
One of the guards speaks up, "If you would follow me, I will take you to the prisoners." Of those who do follow find yourself going through many security outposts, though they seem more intent on threats coming from the other direction. Many of the guards salute as you follow the dwarf. After a half hour or more you find yourselves in the prison. The dwarf in front of you walks with you down to the cells if that is what you wish.
Very well.
Ekaterina adjusts her shape to that of an exceedingly attractive human female wearing a business suit.
Greeting prisoner, on behalf of Union Incorporated Labor exchange associated I wish to obtain your service records and abilities, with an eye towards potential employment in other nations. It is clearly in your best interests to comply.
Charm monster DC 23
Unbeknownsted to her, she does this while accidentally looking like the Empire Human resources operative who has been bedevilling that poor prisoner for most of his productive live, forcing him to be present in no less then 48 micro-aggression trainings (as an employee of an evil organization bent on world conquest, one of that prisoners problems was that his aggressions were insufficiently "macro"), and berating him every time he did not accurately measure working time while visiting the loo and then writing highly critical performance reviews.