The group is able to make it back to the village without much incident, though it does take them most of the day. As they arrive at the inn they are greeted by Norian and Bart first, before the other villagers come out of hiding.
"Went well?" the tailor asks hopefully with a look to Rabbit.
"We spoke with the dragon, and we're still alive, and so are all of you, so it certainly could've gone worse," Alden replies. "We are still in negotiations with her, but she's done speaking with us for today. She told us to come back in two days. Nothing's really been decided, but she considers the forest in the new area her domain, and will not tolerate trespassers. She will respect our boundaries as well, so long as she isn't provoked."
"I though for sure she was going to eat Eochaidh but then she realized he would give her indigestion so she let him off easy. After that she wouldn't really listen to the rest of us even though I made some really good points for negotiating purposes. Hopefully she will be more tractable when we go back." Kevan says as he goes into the inn. "Say, anything good for dinner?"
"I'm not sure how much we can trust our perception of her. She is a dragon after all. Not like dealing with goblins.... She seemed to want to negotiate ongoing 'tribute' in exchange for allowing us to have the gem. But, she also seemed less than happy about the idea of joining with additional shards."
"The last kind of makes sense. A dragon is pretty high on the pecking order of reality, but there are other things even more dangerous. Joining with other shards could add something of similar power against her."
The group is able to make it back to the village without much incident, though it does take them most of the day. As they arrive at the inn they are greeted by Norian and Bart first, before the other villagers come out of hiding.
"Went well?" the tailor asks hopefully with a look to Rabbit.
"She liked your gift!" Rabbit says brightly, though he becomes more pensive as the others speak, and nods along with the summation the others give.
"She doesn't want to give up anything for free, anyway. And I mean... with the goblins, we could fight them. I didn't want to, but we could. Her.... I think we'd be snacks. So I guess we have to meet her price. At least some of the way. Hopefully we can, um, talk her down some. Maybe... maybe we could take her more gifts of tailorship? I can try and make something but I'm still learning. She really likes the magic... rock... metal... the stuff. The strange stuff. But I don't think we want to give her all of it-- I don't think we can afford to."
Rabbit sighs, raking his hair out of his eyes with his free hand. "Thank you for the draconic buddy, by the way! He was REALLY helpful when we ran into some werewolves."
Once they are seated inside and eating, Rabbit ponders Alden's question. "I don't think it could hurt? And she might know more than she's said so far. Or know if anyone else is living in the area that hasn't been mentioned yet. It seems kind of sparse if it is just the werewolves, the swan lady, and the dragon. What do you suppose the dragon hunts? Deer, I guess.
"I think we should do some information gathering if we can. We know that the dragon liked the cloak, certainly. She mentioned maybe pieces of art as potential tribute too."
"I though for sure she was going to eat Eochaidh but then she realized he would give her indigestion so she let him off easy. After that she wouldn't really listen to the rest of us even though I made some really good points for negotiating purposes. Hopefully she will be more tractable when we go back." Kevan says as he goes into the inn. "Say, anything good for dinner?"
"Eat me? Probably not. More likely rend to emphasize her physical prowess or perhaps magic to demonstrate her strength with the arcane. Her bargaining is a bit unusual in that she's more interested in the negotiation than she let's on. Whether that means she's amenable to changing the deal or she's just bored is anyone's guess."
"I'm not sure how much we can trust our perception of her. She is a dragon after all. Not like dealing with goblins.... She seemed to want to negotiate ongoing 'tribute' in exchange for allowing us to have the gem. But, she also seemed less than happy about the idea of joining with additional shards."
"The last kind of makes sense. A dragon is pretty high on the pecking order of reality, but there are other things even more dangerous. Joining with other shards could add something of similar power against her."
"My lack of knowledge about dragons isn't helpful in this situation. I do find it strange she is so interested in the exotic metal. Stories say they have hoards of riches so maybe it's how rare or expensive it is? I don't think she plans on making armor or weapons with it."
"Yes she's very much the equivalent of a deity in power compared to everything else in the shards that have now joined hers. But the more shards, the more likely the balance of power could change."
"Yes she's very much the equivalent of a deity in power compared to everything else in the shards that have now joined hers. But the more shards, the more likely the balance of power could change."
"Exactly. That's why I was trying to explain what we know so far about the gem. There are other shards and other gems. 'Our' gem can only be used 6 months after joining these shards. But if our gem isn't used, another gem in another shard could be used to join with ours. If 'we' are doing the joining, we can control what shard gets joined to ours. Otherwise any shard could join ours and we'd just have to try and face whatever is there. Does anyone want to connect with Razmir? or Ustalav? Or Sarkoris and the Worldwound? What happens if we get joined by a kingdom of Sahaugin? Would we be flooded?"
"Yes she's very much the equivalent of a deity in power compared to everything else in the shards that have now joined hers. But the more shards, the more likely the balance of power could change.""Exactly. That's why I was trying to explain what we know so far about the gem. There are other shards and other gems. 'Our' gem can only be used 6 months after joining these shards. But if our gem isn't used, another gem in another shard could be used to join with ours. If 'we' are doing the joining, we can control what shard gets joined to ours. Otherwise any shard could join ours and we'd just have to try and face whatever is there. Does anyone want to connect with Razmir? or Ustalav? Or Sarkoris and the Worldwound? What happens if we get joined by a kingdom of Sahaugin? Would we be flooded?"
"All excellent questions. Perhaps that's what she's thinking? Or does she know more then we do? Although this is a unique experience, the Shattering, so she may be lacking in answers as much as we are and it unsettles her to be at the mercy of forces she does not know or understand."
Norian seems relieved the group was able to at least make some progress in talking with the dragon. "Werewolves and a swan woman?" he asks, "I've seen were-creatures before, but what do you mean by a swan woman?"
Milana puts together a bit of an impromptu meal, bringing out day old bread and chopping leftover bacon into a salad. The hearth of the inn feels welcome after an evening out in the woods, and the population of the shard dines all together for the first time since the new year. Snow falls gently outside, and despite the circumstance it is a peaceful and fullfilling evening.
"What were the dragons terms?" Milana asks, "Did you consider what our counter offer should be?"
Thomas and Alberta were more curious about the dragon itself. "How big was it mister Kevan?" Alberta asked, "Stories say dragons can be as big as castles." Thomas didn't ask himself, but his gaze was focused on the halfling as his adopted sister questioned him.
"If the dragon likes to barter you would do well to consider how you will make your offer as much as your desired outcome." Bart reasoned, and Fogril nodded along to that. "I've met my share of merchants who love to haggle." the dwarf adds, "It's important to have a reason for every counter bid."
Eochaidh will tell Norian what he knows about Sarana and her connection to the forest.
"It's difficult to bargain with a creature so powerful. She did seem unusually interested in the negotiation itself than one would expect for an entity that is likely used to making demands and having those demands met. However I don't know enough about dragons to discern why. Is she bored? Lonely? Competitive?"
Thomas and Alberta were more curious about the dragon itself. "How big was it mister Kevan?" Alberta asked, "Stories say dragons can be as big as castles." Thomas didn't ask himself, but his gaze was focused on the halfling as his adopted sister questioned him.
"Oh, it was in the form of a woman so we never saw her in her full size. I imagine she has green iridescent scales and is the size of a house with teeth the size of daggers. It's fun to think about anyway."
”I feel we’re at a disadvantage all around,” Alden says. ”She has the Stone, and if she decides we’re no longer welcome, I doubt we’d have a chance of defeating her if it came to a fight. We’re lucky she’s willing to negotiate at all. I think our conversation provided her with some entertainment. We’ve got to tread carefully from here on out.”
"Is there any way to tell how old, how powerful she is, given we haven't seen her full size? I've only read about dragons. And only a little bit. I never thought I'd meet one in person. She was... nice, though?"
Rabbit hesitates. "I mean. She wasn't exactly... nice. But she was..."
A frown of concentration, or perhaps unhappy memories, comes over the halfling's face as he tears a bit of bread to shreds with his fingers. "...she was in a good mood," he amends, slowly. "At least at first. She saw that Kevan and I had cushions. It was courteous."
For a second Rabbit gazes at nothing in particular, lost in his own thoughts, then he shakes away the fog.
"I agree with Mr. Cooperson that I think she could eat us all up and not even get indigestion. So if we can't fight her we have to figure out what she wants and give it to her. Do... do green dragons like games? Stories? Do they have errands that need running that we could do for her? I guess that's the stuff we should ask when we return.
"And maybe we should ask the swan lady those things too before we go back. I don't know if there's anyone else to ask, though. The werewolves are dead, so... And I really don't think we have good chances of spying on Tal.. the dragon, even just for harmless observation. Maybe we can explore the rest of the terrain that we didn't get to, yet, but if we're going to ask around the only person to ask is Miss Swan."
Rabbit shrugs a little. "So maybe we should get some rest, and go back to the Swan tomorrow, and scout out some more of the terrain if we can? Maybe we can find something else to sweeten the deal with her, though I'm not sure what. The only thing she really perked up at was the cloak and the etherium. Which only forms when shards merge?"
"Oh-- maybe we should ask Deshrit's opinion. I wonder if the dragon has talked to her gem yet."
Rabbit will duly clear his throat. "Deshrit, do you know anything about dragons? Or have any bright ideas?"
Eochaidh smiles at Rabbit, "All excellent observations and questions my friend. My only concern with involving Sarana, the 'Swan Lady', is that she's also, and wisely, hesitant to upset Talschornvox. Would giving us more information about Talschornvox put Sarana in danger? We could ask Sarana if that's the case and if it is then we can leave her in peace."
Eochaidh thinks for a moment and continues, "Unfortunately my only knowledge of dragons are the stories that were passed down amongst my people through the centuries. They're likely more myth than fact."
"We can talk to the Swan-Woman. I think the worst we can expect from her is refusal," Alden says.
An awkward silence follows Rabbit's asking-of-Deshrit. In the last six months he's grown used to talking to the gem as if it were around all the time. It's.... not, currently, which is a major point of their entire situation.
"Um. I meant. We can ask Deshrit maybe-- later. If we can talk to him again. Right. That is what I meant," Rabbit says in an obvious attempt to save face, his cheeks red. He shoots a brief grateful smile at Eochaidh and nods fervently along with Alden.
Jaxom glances at Rabbit. Noticing the embarrassment he smiles politely. "You seemed to have a link to it. Maybe it's magic includes an ability to hear you at a distance. It might answer you when you get within hearing range of it...."
Jaxom glances at Rabbit. Noticing the embarrassment he smiles politely. "You seemed to have a link to it. Maybe it's magic includes an ability to hear you at a distance. It might answer you when you get within hearing range of it...."
"She did make it clear she appreciated art and craftsmanship," Alden adds. "We should probably have a few such items that we can throw into the pot, or use for a bribe when we return. Does anyone have the skill to make such things? Master Toombs, you gifted me a fine table for my home, do you have anything else, a carving perhaps that the dragon might find to her liking? If not, would you be able to carve something over the next couple of days, if I took over your farm chores for that time?"
"That could be something we offer when we join a new shard as well. She basically said as much with the share of booty or however she put it but we could literally buy nice things for her. Or, if we find a morally bankrupt individual we could steal them. Not that I have any practice in that sort of thing but you know, we could work it out." Kevan adds pondering the situation. "I'm looking forward to another conversation with her."
"That could be something we offer when we join a new shard as well. She basically said as much with the share of booty or however she put it but we could literally buy nice things for her. Or, if we find a morally bankrupt individual we could steal them. Not that I have any practice in that sort of thing but you know, we could work it out." Kevan adds pondering the situation. "I'm looking forward to another conversation with her."
"Perhaps 'luxury' items might entice her."
The children consider Kevan's words, and Alberta looks up into the ceiling of the inn as if imagining just how large such a creature would be. "Please be careful." she says in concern, "I wouldn't want any of you to be eaten."
"A dragon would need to be very powerful to alter it's form." Norian remarked, "No dragon I have battled with was capable of the feat."
Fogril nods along to their mention of the dragon's disposition and apparent love for bartering. "Sounds like she's one of them that enjoys the dance as much as any deal." he reasoned, "I've seen merchants go out of business because they charge fair but refuse to barter. It's a wonder a dragon of all things would have such a taste for it though. Who goes to barter a dragon down on price?"
Martin Tooms looked nervous at Alden's suggestion. "I appreciate you like my table that much Alden. It's hardly a piece of art worth a dragon though. It was mostly just cleaned up and covered in sealant." he explains.
Milani considers things for a moment before looking to the portrait over the hearth of her and her husband. Then she casts her eyes down and shakes her head. Lifting her chin a moment later with a resolute look. If the piece could be considered art, it was unlikely she would part with it while still drawing breath.
Planning continues for some time, with ideas being mulled over between all present.
Bart glances at Norian when he makes his statement about dragons that he's battled. "Maybe they just didn't change shape while you were there. I remember.... Well, maybe not that one. But that black one? Hmm.... Probably not. It was less than thirty feet long too, after we cut the tail off." He scratches his shoulder, where there is a slight hint of a scar under a tattoo.
The group carefully considers their plans and spends much of the next day and change discussing possible ways to approach the negotiation with the dragon Talschornvox. In the end though, they are forced to return without any cunning plans or hidden strategy. Just a general idea of how they wish to try and negotiate.
The journey begins in the early morning, knowing the trip will take much of the day and put them on the dragon's doorstep in the later afternoon if they encounter no problems. Which they do not. There had been little to no snow. While the forest was frosted and leaves were dying and falling heavily around them. As they traveled they encountered no more rogue werewolves or threatening wild beasts.
The chill air left their breaths visible as they reached the clearing, and as they did so they could spot Talschornvox sitting at the same table. Steam rising from the teapot as well as the cup in her hand. She wore the same dress as before, and across her shoulders was a downy white fur cloak, though she seemed not the least bothered by the chill in the air.
"Have you an idea of the terms you desire and who will negotiate them?" she asked easily. It was if her initial serenity in greeting them the other day had returned. Just as before, two of the chairs about the table had been prepared with thick cushions to boost the height of the two halfling members of the group.
Jaxom hangs back letting the others do whatever 'negotiations' they want. He'd already said all he wanted, and was mostly ignored.
Kevan waits for Alden to take the lead while he looks for an opportunity to hop in and shmooz with the dragon.
"I will speak on our behalf, m'Lady," Alden replies. "Although, I do expect that one or more of my companions may wish to say something from time to time." Alden takes one of the seats at the table that has not been specifically prepared for the small folk.
"Our primary concerns are the safety of the residents of our community, and the ability to continue our quest to rejoin the shards of the world. What are your goals in this matter? It will be easier to find common ground if your desires are as plainly laid out as ours."
Rabbit waves a disgustingly earnest hello at Tarscharnvox when they return, and gives her an unfeigned smile. On the one hand, he knows she could eat them all. On the other, he's still really charmed about the height-boosting cushions.
And there's even tea!
--hm. Where does she get her tea? Does she have a stash left over from pre-sharding? Is it tea from local, natural plants? Is it maybe just tea conjured out of nothing? Rabbit pours a cup of tea for everyone at the table who seems to want one (servant habits die very hard, okay) and inspects the tea with a sniff while waiting to see if Talscharnvox deigns to say her desires plainly.
"Oh, one other thing, ma'am," Rabbit says softly when there's a pause in conversation. "Is Deshrit okay? Could you tell him I said hello and that I hope he's comfortable? He's the gem. The uh-- our first gem-- it didn't... survive the merging. Or she didn't. So I just-- was worried about Deshrit."
Eochaidh will follow Jaxon's lead and remain silent.
Talschornvox shoos Rabbit back to his chair and serves the tea herself. A tray rests on the center of the table and she lifts the lid to reveal rows of delicate wafer cookies. As he samples the tea it becomes clear to the halfling that the leaves were likely cultivated in the forested areas west of Katapesh. Thracia Morus had actually enjoyed this same kind of tea, when she could obtain it. Though it is a very different blend than what was exported.
"Guests do not serve tea." she scolded lightly.
Once everyone had been served she smoothed her dress down in the back and took her seat again, turning his gaze to Alden. "It's hardly anything as lofty as a goal of mine." she notes dispassionately, "If these demiplanes the world was broken into are going to be merged, I simply feel it should happen in a manner that is convenient to me. Better to have it being done by those who will pay tribute and show proper discretion."
Her thin lips curl up on one side into a smirk at Rabbit's questions of Deshrit. "He's doing very well." she said, "You will see for yourself if we can come to terms today." Something clearly amused her about the question, but she did not elaborate.
"So, how would such an agreement work? The gem only allows its wielder to see the nearest shards, and only the wielder can choose which shard to merge with. We have found it difficult to plan these first few mergings. So far, I have had to make the choices based on the general wishes of the group and hope for the best."
"I care not which shards you choose." Talschornvox said in a simple manner, "Nor the interests of the general wish of those in your company. I merely expect a tribute, a tithe if you will, each time it happens. As well as for my name to go unmentioned and my woods unmolested." The lady dragon, dragon lady, thinly smiling serpent lifted her cup of tea and sipped lightly.
The tea was bitter, but with a sweet and spicy note similar to cinnamon that seemed to ease the bitterness. It paired well with the tender, creamy wafer cookies.
"In return, I will let you continue to merge the shards. As that would be preferable to unknown intruders doing such and invading my territory." she continue as she reached for a cookie delicately, "...and should any shard fall into my domain you'll not need to worry about keeping them out of the hands of your enemies."
She cast a look about the group before returning her gaze to Alden. "Is that palatable to you? If so I would like to negotiate exactly what tribute I can expect." she explained, "Be grateful I am so generous a dragon that I would consider your side in this. Most would simply demand what they wanted."
Kevan considers the arrangement viable. He wants to hear the tribute before speaking so he remains attentive but quiet.
”So, you mentioned a tribute of one item of artistic significance from any treasure we acquire, I think that would be reasonable.”
The lady set down her tea cup and cupped it gently, tapping at the side of the porcelain with her index finger. Her thin lips curled into a somewhat predatory grin. "I said twenty percent of all treasure acquired and shard produced metal." she noted, "...and offered to reduce that to fifteen percent if I was allowed to choose an item of art or knowledge of my choosing."
She dipped her chin and favored Alden with a coy smile from under her brow. "Did you have a counter offer?" she asked.
"A ten percent share of the treasure or an item of artistic or academic value of your choice, which you may determine each time we acquire treasure. You will also receive one-sixth of the shard produced metal, each time the gem produces it," Alden counters.
Rabbit's eyes flick between Talschornvox and Alden with slight nervousness. He sticks on, after Alden's counter-offer:
"--and we could try and find you more of your tea? I mean, unless we merge shards to near Katapesh, you probably can't easily replace this, ma'am. Right? And thank you for being willing to negotiate with us."
”As you mentioned, my Lady, a tithe is ten percent. As to the gem metal, you said yourself that races such as ours could spend a lifetime finding uses for it. We merely ask for the opportunity to study it and fulfill that observation.” Kevan adds in support of Alden.
The lady seems a bit addled to have all three of you pitching in. A mix of caught off guard, confused, and uncomfortable. It would probably aggravate her if she had to deal with more than one or two people talking to her beyond this.
Talschornvox looked hesitantly between the three before almost timidly
responding to Rabbit. "...I grow my own tea leaves." she explained.
"You try and reduce a dragon's tithe to only a tenth?" the lady blustered slightly as she recovered, "Even if you found a lost arcane tome or a piece of ancient Taldor art that is a pittance. There might not even be such a work in the spoils of a shard."
Giving it a moment's consideration she returns with a counter offer. "I would want to curate any knowledge or art found in new shards. If I am to receive such a meager tithe. That I might decide what is worth being added to my collection."
"For clarification, when you say 'curate,' do you mean to say you would have the first choice of one item from whatever is acquired, or do you mean that you would keep whatever items you desire and leave the rest to us?"
Alden's tone is polite, but businesslike.
"I can assure you, only the finest pieces are worth being added to my collection." the lady said flatly.
"No doubt, you have fine tastes, M'Lady," Alden replies politely. "You may have first choice of one of the items of artistic or academic merit that we acquire, as well as a one-tenth share of whatever coinage we find. In addition, you will have one-sixth of the metal generated by the Gem."
"That is the same offer." the dragon remarks dryly, "After I so graciously adjusted my demands you'll not even try to reciprocate?"
"If I may," Kevan slightly raises his hand for acknowledgement, "It may be a significant acquiescence on our part. The item of artistic or academic merit may well be the lion share of value of the whole take, that plus a tenth of the cash. On many an occasion, mighty one, you will find yourself with the majority of the wealth of the find." Kevan finishes.
”The offer is much more generous, M’Lady,” Alden replies politely. ”My initial offer was ten percent or an item of artistic or scholarly value. This offer is for ten percent and a such an item, of which you may have the first choice. If this is still not to your satisfaction, by all means, make a counter offer, and let us continue the negotiations.”