I know what you mean. This is the closest I could get for a turtle...
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Before long the Terrapin himself appears on the balcony. As he teleports in, or plane shifts as may be the case, he is accompanied by the female elf from before. She holds him aloft upon a silk pillow. “Welcome guests, one and all, to my home.” chirps the turtle. “I recognize that you are not the stinking mass of commoners I usually address, so I will not insult you with platitudes. I’m sure you are wondering why I have invited you here. As I said in my note, I wish to barter an exchange. You see, some time ago I founded an organization, now formally called the Terrapin Order. Our goal is to train and equip the masses of the earth to rise out of the barbaric stupor they find themselves in. Once trained, there will be no limit to what can be accomplished. Perhaps we will stamp out the remaining scourge of demons that roam this world. Perhaps we will silence the undead blight that creeps its way along the gutters of the land. Maybe we will storm the gates of the maelstrom itself should we become strong enough. Those are goals for a later time. For now, I am in the business of acquiring power. I have done all I can as a single entity. Though I wield great arcane prowess, there is a limit to what one being can achieve. That is why I have begun gathering others to my cause. I don’t expect you to agree with my causes. Two people usually can’t even agree what to do with a golden coin. But I don’t need you to buy into my schemes. I only need to buy you. Forgive me if I sound crude. I don’t mean to be. It’s just that I spend my days now hyping up crowds of dolts to blindly do my bidding, and I’m enjoying the reprieve that this meeting offers.” The elf carries the turtle over to the table with six books. “This is my first good will offering to you. The first of many if things go well. One thing I have, in overabundance, is magical power. I wish to share some of that power with you. In return I ask that you will help me further my aims. The Terrapin Order is growing, but still vulnerable in many places. I don’t yet have enough trained priests, and my plans are being delayed somewhat. From time to time I will have problems that may be best solved by people such as yourselves. That is, people who appreciate the subtleties of power, understand the true nature of things, and who will not be swayed by fancy words, or held back by impractical adherence to outdated codes. And above all, I know you all seek power. And above all, that is what I can give you. The few priests I do possess have been busy writing the tenants of the Terrapin Order. The books before you lay out all of my principles and philosophies. It is overly wordy, for sure. These things must be wrapped in parable and myth for the common folk to understand. Should you study them, you may learn a thing or two about leadership and influence. Take the books. Study them. In a month’s time the term at the Acadamae will conclude and I will have another task for you. I request you take a sabbatical for one year. Work for me and let me empower you to heights that will rival even the masters of your order. Think it over. I will make it worth your while. If you have any questions, please direct them toward my high priestess, Sirith. And now my throat is parched, and my harem awaits. Please excuse me.” With that the turtle flies off the pillow, glides through the air off the balcony to the lake and disappears into the water with a splash. |