Pyros has little to add, the idea seems straightforward enough to him. Kill the bandit, build a new state. Though of course, building a state was a ball of worms in and of itself. Even so, he feels moved to speak up. ”Surely not all of us desire rule. A mage might want a friendly government who would permit his esoteric research, a priest might wish to expand his faith’s following in this land, a merchant would surely desire a new state to open trade with, etc. Being on good terms with whoever takes the barony of this new Aldori state would bring benefits even to those who do not hold the barony themselves, I would think.”
"So whichever one of us kills this Stag Lord and brings his head back to you becomes the ruler of the Stolen Lands? Cassia called from her position with some of the other not nobles. She wasn't going to say it in Jamandi's earshot, but she couldn't help but think how there wasn't much difference between her method of seizing power and the bandits'
The politics of it all meant little to her, though the opportunity to explore and impact the wilds of the region, and protect the natural order while doing so was more than a little exciting. Bandits were always a problem, predators that couldn't be allowed too much rein, or they would choke the life out of everything in the region, like weeds. Centaurs attacking towns after decades of coexisting was also unusual, possibly a sign of something bigger being wrong in the region.
"I doubt it would be that simple, but when a predator falls, something has to lay claim to its domain." she replies to Cassia quietly.
Athrehon arches an already arched eyebrow and says to the two women, "Indeed. That is the way of things, fair or foul."
A pause and then he speaks a bit louder, seemingly so that those in charge might be capable of hearing him even over the din of those assembled speaking quietly amongst themselves. "It is noteworthy that there is far less being said about these centaurs than this so-called Stag Lord. Is it that there is less specific information to be had on their actions than those of the aforementioned bandits?"
Acknowledging the politics of it all, Harter listens silently to the offer. That is a big project, and he is more than willing to bring law into the land of bandits. He pats Ikit on the back and says "Well now, we'll just see how far your creations take us, eh?"
"Yes yes, make machines to make enemies quiver, make machines to make land best!" he tilts his head a bit and then continues "Ikit just want to create and build. No wanting to be boss of anyone. No no"
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As for the gnomme, you know niothing helpful.
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Maeric speaks, his voice carrying clearly across the gathered crowd, not loud, but firm. There’s a rough edge to it, a dry rasp that speaks of disuse more than weakness, and though the brass mask dulls its tone, the conviction beneath it is unmistakable.
“I didn’t come south for power or titles. I’ve no desire to rule, only to see something worth living for come of this.”
"That is most of the information we have now, enjoy the rest of the day and night, tomorrow we begin outfitting and planning."
With that, both Jamandi and the Mayor exit. Kesten helps with room assignments and dinner. Tartuccio begins recruiting in earnest.
"So sleep, then plan, good idea, yes yes. Need to be awake for big plans." he nods as Jamandi walks away
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Gaxi will make little “Psst” noises to get the attention of either Daxiana, Ikit and/or Piret and asks, in a whispering short broken Common, “What happening? What centaur? What Stag Lord?”
Dax doesn't speak Kobold but she tries to find a kind soul to translate what was heard so Gaxi doesn't get left out and she gives her own words as well as what Lady Jamandi said.
.....
When many others mention a lack of desire to lead, Daxiana smiles, glad to see it's not just her.
"Which ever I go to, I want to make things better than they were before I came. See some of the natural beauty. Have fun, do good, don't be an ass: That's my motto."
She's curious about the others, but is almost shy about the idea of accessing them.
She does wonder if Tartuccio is as big an ass as she first thought him?
Elenaril can't help but find something about the strange, dark, elven woman...unsettling... her voice...perhaps her pallor or the rhythm of her movements? She can't quite name it, so she studies her quietly, trying to pick up on some sort of hint.
Whatever question of religion, faith, or undeath, were present…well, Sven was oblivious to them.
Piret is surprised to learn of the much more sweeping and ambitious goals behind the expedition. She had taken what she knew of it beforehand very much at face value. A much more forthrightly political agenda than she had imagined doesn't really change things much for her though. At least she can't see any ways in which colonizing the "Stolen Lands" would conflict with her simple aims. Besides, the financial backing could make things easier.
Since she doesn't see herself as having much of a stake in a new polity, and even less in leading it, Piret doesn't ask any questions. She just listens to try feeling out what the people who might soon be her associates are like.
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Harter takes a second look at this Tartuccio and says "I'd also be willing to lead the expedition. I believe people will appreciate my willingness to uphold the law and to respect their traditions. Instead, of course, of trampling over everything." He keeps his gaze at Tartuccio and his nonchalant manners.
"Man-beast Harter can be boss, not that Ikit needs boss. Building no need boss, no no. Only workshop and material, and maybe a few hands for heavy lifting, yes yes. No trampling by Ikit. No big feets for that" he nods as he listens to the others and their desires "Maybe get big woman man-beast to do lifting. She looks like she can do that, yes yes" as he states at Amiri
Stanislaw had, somewhat begrudgingly, handed over his bow. He could probably find a weapon to use, but the bow was his preferred choice.
Answering Harter's question about his training, he said, "My priestly training was largely handled by the priest of Erastil at home, around the Grozni Forest. I wasn't assigned to a larger seminary school."
The warpriest of Erastil listened to Lady Jamandi and Lord-Mayor Sellemius's words, and others as they asked questions, quietly cataloguing information away in his mind. Having just arrived, he didn't know much about any of the others who spoke up. It seemed the purple gnome was incredibly ambitious and eager, however...perhaps too eager? He took a second look at the gnome, trying to figure out if there was an ulterior motive. It wasn't out of the question that if the Stag Lord had found out about this meeting, he would send agents to embed themselves in the gathering to sabotage attempts to defeat him.
As conversations around him pick up with the departure of Lady Jamandi and the Lord-Mayor, Stanislaw says, "You and I are in agreement on that, Harter. It does not sound like there are many settlements in the Stolen Lands with local traditions as it is, but there must be some people living there. Her words about the Nomen centaur raids in the Dunsward seems to indicate that there are some established settlements there, likely with their own traditions. Something must have stirred up the Nomen, if there had been relative peace for the past hundred years." Court politics were not as common in Medvyed lands, particularly along the Grozni Forest, but he'd learned enough to know that some conflicts were not as they appeared.
With a glance at Ikit, he said, "Tell me, Ikit, what sort of inventions are you thinking of building? Siege weaponry, perhaps, or some of the strange Numerian devices I have heard rumor of?"
"Oh! Yes yes! Big machines! Shoot magic lightning! Smashing door with 1 swing. Machine that launches magic explosions. But Ikit genius inventions, Ikit make all! Yes yes!" the ratfolk rubs his hands, happily explaining all the details himself knows
"Ah, I see. A combination of arcane magic and siege machinery. I've made no study of arcane magic, but I can see the applications to siege warfare. If the plan is to build a nation, other magical devices may be helpful, such as devices that allow for faster harvesting of grain, or hoisting and transporting large pieces of stone for buidling."
"Transport machines... Hmmm, Ikit could work on that too, yes yes, personal war machines too. Horses so untrustworthy, no no, make machine that rolls, fast like horse, much to think about about, indeed, yes yes!" as he digs out a small book with all kinds of doodles in it
Sven listened with a cautious ear, but one that was open enough to weigh the risk with the benefits. A tamed stolen land would indeed be the perfect place to conduct what he knew would be dangerous experiments. And once the benefits were realized, there could be a tidy profit in selling the completed projects. If there was a completed project, of course. As he did not know if the ratfolk had it in him to realize such dreams. Sven was, after all, careful in thought and action. Merchants who took unnecessary risks rarely stayed a merchant. Tall talk got his attention, but alone did not convince him. He idly wondered though, if it would even be possible to stop the ratfolk should the cost be too high. He doubted that any law would be a constraint to such a person, something which made him pause. Whomever would rise to a leadership position would surely have their hands full in enforcing order and maximizing efficiency. High risk…hopefully high reward, he concluded.